Susan Maddux's Folded Canvas Works Evoke Garments and Textile Heritage
Susan Maddux, a textile designer turned artist, creates vibrant wall sculptures by folding painted canvases into garment-like forms. Her works, such as "Mantle" (2026) and "Flourish" (2026), reference her Hawaiian upbringing and Japanese heritage, often evoking kimonos or cloaks. Pieces like "Quiver" (2026) and "Mimosa" (2024) explore the tension between softness and firmness, concealment and revelation. Maddux stacks folds to human proportions, subtly referencing the body and textile timelessness. She recently experimented with new materials and patterns after a residency at RONDO in Mexico City. Her work is featured on Instagram.
Key facts
- Susan Maddux draws on her experience as a textile designer and family artistic heritage.
- Her works are made from acrylic paint, canvas, and archival adhesive or batting.
- "Mantle" (2026) measures 26 x 42 x 5 inches and resembles historical shoulder-warming clothing.
- "Flourish" (2026) includes jute and measures 67 x 38 x 4 inches.
- "Quiver" (2026) measures 46 x 33 x 5 inches.
- "Mimosa" (2024) measures 21.5 x 19 x 2.5 inches.
- Maddux's Hawaiian upbringing and Japanese heritage influence her work.
- She completed a residency at RONDO in Mexico City.
- Her works have conceptual names like "Thrum" and "Vesper."
- She sometimes stacks folds several feet high to mirror human proportions.
Entities
Artists
- Susan Maddux
Institutions
- RONDO
- Colossal
- designboom
Locations
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Los Angeles
- California
- USA
- Hawaii