My first solo-exhibition, entitled 'Too Much', opened on September 9th in the California Building! The show I put together is exactly what I envisioned at the start of 2023 and I feel so proud of what I brought to fruition. The newest paintings I created for the exhibition are the culmination of a long time goal: bringing together my abstract and figurative styles to create stronger narratives in my work. The week following my opening, MPLSART.COM released an article written by Benjamin Merrit about my newest paintings.
https://www.mplsart.com/written/2023/09/madison-rubenstein-too-much
Benjamin and I chatted in my studio the week leading up to the opening of my show. Three of my paintings were still in progress and despite feeling the edge of pushing myself a bit too hard (feeling that perfectionism) I knew that it was all going to come together and I just needed to pace myself.
I love talking to other artists about art. I love talking to other disabled people about being disabled. But even more, I love talking with disabled artists. Benjamin brought very thoughtfully crafted questions and jumping off points for our conversation and it felt easy to open up to him about what drives my work, because I know he gets it. The article he produced left me feeling so seen it moved me to tears.
The space in which my show was exhibited, Future Tense Gallery, is operated by artist Eyenga Bokamba. Eyenga generously offered for me to extend my show, therefore the closing reception was held on October 5th, 6-8pm!
More about the show:
The selection of paintings I curated depict chaotic emotional and psychological landscapes by referencing contorted, distorted, abstracted, and repeated renderings of my own body which reflect my personal experience with disability. Accompanying the paintings in the show is a zine of poetry I created using a typewriter, collage materials and my photocopier, which you can read in the gallery or take home with you. As Patreon subscribers you will also be receiving a copy of the poetry zine in the mail. The California Building houses artist studios and is not open to the public outside of designated open studio events, so please contact me if you would like to make an appointment for your own private viewing of 'Too Much'.
