Tamara Natalie Madden was a Jamaican-born painter and mixed-media artisan incredible Artist Professor in fine art at Spelman College Atlanta who worked and lived in the United States but sadly passed away on the 4th of November 2017 (age 42). Here are some of her work:
Madden was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She moved to America from Jamaica permanently when she was an adolescent. Madden became ill with a rare disease for women and African-Americans called IgA nephropathy in 1997 and suffered immensely during that time. While living on the dialysis machine, Madden found art again. Art helped her to heal emotionally, so she decided that it was important to pursue it further. She received a kidney transplant from her brother in 2001, and participated in her first art exhibition that same year. Her first solo exhibition was in 2004, and it garnered her an interview with the late James Auer of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In 2007, the African Giant Madden debuted a series entitled, “Kings & Queens”, which focused on heightening the everyday person. Her work continued to focus on recognizing nobility, honor and respect in those often overlooked by society. Her subjects can be perceived as wealthy and powerful, but for the artist, the imagery often represents a power that exudes from within.
Madden created images based on her memories of the people of her native Jamaica, placing them in high-status fabrics (raw silks, colorful satins, etc.), that mimicked those worn by royalty. Birds were a common theme in many of Madden’s paintings, chosen as a personal symbol of her freedom from illness. Madden’s influences were varied, and included Gustav Klimt, Milwaukee artist Ras Ammar Nsoroma, African royalty, Egypt, Asia and the clothing worn by native African and Indian women. She chose to paint imagery that represented the people of the African diaspora. The Black Queen (2010) by Tamara Natalie Madden
See also: Shakere Braids by Shani Crowe influenced by West African instrument
“Similar to the works of Gustav Klimt, Madden clothes the goddess in a boldly patterned dress with clear ties to the arts and crafts movement and its populist underpinnings of advocating for art made by the people for the people. The unique quilting of the dress distinguishes the wearer while harkening to feelings of home and of natural, honest labor. Additionally, Madden’s use of decadent colors and gold gives her subjects a life of indulgence that they never had.
In 2014, Madden was named as one of 40 black artists to watch by MSNBC’s The Grio. What distinguishes Ms. Madden’s work, however, is the specific focus on Jamaica. Madden’s work was featured at Art Basel Miami with Mocada Museum and International Visions Gallery. In an interview with Okay Africa, Madden, and several other artists talked about the inspirations for their works.
