A first for the gallery, the exhibition unites many of Maddox’s represented artists under one roof for the first time. Expertly curated to capture the essence of their work in parallel to their journey with Maddox Gallery, featured artists include British duo The Connor Brothers, renowned fine art photographer David Yarrow, American painter Cooper, Contemporary artists Nick Grindrod and Will Martyr, talented multidisciplinary artist Yuki Aruga and the iconic Russell Young.
Hand-selected by our artistic team, some of the names showcased in the 'The Maddox Collection' are newly represented, while others, like David Yarrow, have been partnered with us since our earliest years. A master of modern-day storytelling, Yarrow features prominently in the exhibition, with his latest masterpieces drawing the viewer into the untamed worlds of animals in the wild. Contrasting with Yarrow’s striking monochromatic photography, The Connor Brothers’ colourful homages to natural history recall the wisdom of childhood and come with a powerful message – that war is wrong; the natural world is precious; and imagination is sacred.
Themes of celebrity, beauty and impermanence run through the art of Russell Young. In his vivid, diamond-dusted depictions of Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, their undeniable beauty is tinged with the tragedy and pain that bubbled beneath the surface of their public personas. Young’s art is not just about celebrity, though. It is also about stories, dreams and vulnerabilities, with his artworks resonating with emotion and inviting introspection.
Russell Young is joined by Will Martyr and Cooper, two artists whose recent solo exhibitions with Maddox capture the vitality of a life well lived. Turning a new leaf in our history, their familiar, relatable styles and vivid colour work are infused with warmth and playfulness, with Cooper’s neo-contemporary paintings perfectly complementing the emotive works of Martyr, collectively conveying a sense of joy. Also on display, Yuki Aruga’s delicate Eglomisé artworks on glass question the themes of life, death and ultimately life after death in reincarnation.
An opportunity to discover some of the art world’s most exciting talent in a unique group exhibition, 'The Maddox Collection' explores the origin and meaning of Maddox Gallery through the singular voices of the artists we work with. Their creative styles and artistic outputs may be completely different, but what unites them is their unique and adventurous approach to creating Contemporary art. A celebration of the roster of artists who we are proud to call family, we hope you enjoy the show.
