meeni is the work of artist and illustrator Madeline Norris
Madeline lives in an old suburb on the edge of Birmingham and the Black Country in the UK and works from a little studio in her garden.
“I have always been fascinated by objects with a history and a story to tell. As a child I loved dressing up and creating imaginary worlds set in the past. These would often be based on the books I had read or TV programmes and films I had watched. These childhood memories are very influential on my work. I am interested in memory and how we view the past and present through this lens.
I have collections of vintage ceramics, antique books and old fabrics. These often find their way into my work creating a connection to the past and bringing new life to the discarded. The inspiration for my pieces also comes from folk art and the natural world. I like art created on a personal scale, a book filled with interesting illustrations, an embroidered tablecloth or a handwoven basket. This is art I can hold, feel and that can become part of my life and home.
I explore my themes through textiles, collages, mixed media and illustration. I like to use pencils, paint, paper, cut fabric and embroider with thread. This tactile and sensory experience is a fundamental part of my process and something I have been doing since I was a child. Alongside the handmade I enjoy embracing new technology to develop my work.”
Madeline’s practice also encompasses facilitation and participatory projects.
