She creates composite landscapes built from memories that she feels are connected through a shared aesthetic.
Madeleine Gardiner is a British contemporary landscape painter born and raised in Scotland. Her artistic journey began with a Foundation Diploma from Leeds Arts University in 2012, followed by a BA (Hons) in Painting from Edinburgh College of Art in 2015. After graduating, she established herself in Scotland's art scene, gaining representation from several galleries and undertaking commissions before relocating to London in 2017.
Childhood Influences on Madeleine's Art
Madeleine's formative experiences in the Scottish Highlands, along the rugged east coast, and among the lochs in the west have profoundly shaped her artistic vision. These early exposures to Scotland's soft, hazy light continue to influence her work, creating a distinctive foundation for her landscape paintings. Over time, her travels to diverse locations—from Namibia and Arizona to Vietnam and the Tyrolean Alps—have blended with these Scottish influences, creating composite landscapes that bridge multiple geographical inspirations.
Wild Spaces and Light: Madeleine's Artistic Focus
Wild spaces, memory, and atmosphere are the cornerstone elements of Madeleine's creative practice. She constructs composite landscapes built from connected memories that share aesthetic qualities, carefully selecting which details to include in each piece. Light serves as her primary focus, with every artistic decision centered around recreating how it transforms elements within a landscape. Her fascination with depth drives an ongoing pursuit of immersion through paint and process, balancing the materiality of paint with what it represents.
Exhibition History and Madeleine's Recognition
Since her career began, Madeleine has exhibited extensively throughout the UK. Her solo exhibitions include "Scottish Light" at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh (2023) and "Luminance" at Saorsa Gallery in Edinburgh (2020). She has participated in numerous group shows at prestigious venues including The Strathearn Gallery, Graystone Gallery, and Fotheringham Gallery. Her work has been acquired for notable collections including Gleneagles Hotel, Hampden & Co., and The Scottish Investment Trust. Madeleine has received recognition through the Prince's Trust Business Grant and was a finalist for the Saatchi Gallery Sunday Telegraph Art Prize for Schools in 2012. Her commissioned projects include collaborations with David Collins Studio for Gleneagles Hotel and artwork for luxury apartments at Pavilion & Torwood.