Painter and printmaker Maudie Brown was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but lived in Botswana for the majority of her life. Her artwork articulates unpretentious innocence and truth often in a humorous way, casting light on the beauty of life in contrast to the dark and negative images that bombards society on an ever expanding basis.
The raw beauty of the surroundings and people of rural Africa is a strong drawing point for Maudie’s inspiration. She lived in Taiwan from 2012 - 2018 and got fascinated by the young urban culture and street art. While in Taiwan she was introduced to Chinese ink painting and got excited about the capacity of the calligraphy brushes as means of expression. Maudie is drawn to black and white photographic images for their ability to convey character and emotion.
Maudie is making use of a variety of mediums and techniques often juxtaposing them as the contrasts between these techniques helps to accentuate what she is expressing. Strong and loose brush strokes in oil paints often compliments spontaneous, expressive ink drawings. Elements of printmaking can also be seen in some of Maudie’s paintings.
She addresses social or environmental issues by placing the ‘real’ against the ‘fictional’ conveying dialogue between the two, encouraging conversation and evoking questions amongst her audience.
Education
International Master of Arts in Cultural and Creative Industries at Taipei National University of the Arts 2014 - 2016, Taipei, Taiwan
BA Tourism and Recreation Management at North West University, 2000 - 2003 Potchefstroom, South Africa
Matric at Pro Arte Alphen Park 1997 -1999 Pretoria, South Africa Distinctions in all Art Subjects
Awards
2014 MOE Scholarship, Ministry of Education Taiwan
1999 Works selected for Rentmeester Youth Arts Festival Exhibition, Pro Arte Alphen Park
1999 Trophy for achievement in Art-Senior Most Dedicated Student, Pro Arte Alphen Park
1999 Outstanding achievement in Art – Works exhibited in Italy, Pro Arte Alphen Park
Experience
Curated Work at Octagon Gallery, National Museum of Botswana, November 2018 Gaborone, Botswana
I co-curated the exhibition of the Kuru Art Project titled Of Elands and Giraffes and Helicopters and Tea Cups….. and the First peoples of the Kalahari together with Maude Brown (my mother) co-ordinator of the Kuru Art Project.
2017 Taitung International Exchange Program on Cultural Crafts and Design, Taitung County, Taiwan. I was one of 6 artists who took part in a 21 day residency learning craft techniques and experiencing the local culture from Taitung County, Taiwan.
Commissioned Project at Haohaus Gallery 2016 Hotel Discover, Chiayi, Taiwan
I was one of four artists who were commissioned by HaoHaus Gallery to create artworks for Hotel Discover in Chiayi, Taiwan.
Curated Work at Garage Gallery, Taitung Sugar Factory,
21 November 2015 – 31 December 2015 Taitung County, Taiwan
Naturally Creative was an international cross-cultural exhibition which explored the significance of art and creativity within the lives of the indigenous communities of Taiwan and the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa. A juxtaposition of cultures from two different parts of the world presented a fresh perspective on the importance of creativity within these indigenous communities. The exhibition included artworks from Coex’ae Bob, Thamae Kaashe, Thamae Setshogo, Cgoma Simon, Kg’akg’am Tshabu from the Kuru Art Project from Botswana as well as artworks from Zhāng Mǎ Qún (張馬群), Kulijejdlije Vaciean (古勒勒.伐基尚) and myself.
Artist in Residence at The Garage, Taitung Sugar Factory,
July 2015 – August 2015 Taitung, Taiwan
Exhibitions
2019 Simplified 2 Person Linnaeus Gaborone, Botswana. Exhibition together with Father Pieter Brown
2017 Time for a Drink Group蘇非亞.C藝術空間 Sophia C. Art Gallery Zhubei City, Taiwan Exhibition with Patrick Lee
2017 Conflict in Harmony 2 Person. Linnaeus Gaborone, Botswana. Exhibition together with Father Pieter Brown
2016 I See Chiayi Group. Haohaus Chiayi Chiayi, Taiwan
2016 Art In Tienmu 2 Person Lili Art Kitchen Tienmu, Taipei. Exhibition together with Patrick Lee
2016 “Matryoshka: Exhibiting within the Exhibition” Group TNUA International Exchange Center Taipei
2016 Art Square Taipei Taipei International Audio & Art Fair The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei
2015 Naturally Creative Group. The Garage Gallery, Taitung Sugar Factory Taitung County, Taiwan Curated by Maudie Brown. Participating artists: Kulijejdlije Vaciean-Taiwan; Zhāng Mǎ Qún-Taiwan; Kuru Art Project-Botswana
2014 Giving Face Solo Lilli Art Kitchen Tianmu, Taipei 12 pieces were exhibited.
2006 Never be Afraid of the Spaces between your Dreams and Reality 2 Person. The Frame Gallery Gaborone, Botswana With Father, Pieter Brown
1999 PAAP Art Exhibition Group African Window Museum Pretoria South Africa
1999 PAAP Art Exhibition Group. H.F. Verwoerd Medical Faculty Pretoria, South Africa
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