ABOUT THE ARTIST
Madison Cowles Serna earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 2018, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2013. Originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cowles Serna has spent the majority of her time in Texas. Her work explores a variety of themes, primarily introspection and sexual assault, through the use of printmaking, painting, and installation.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work focuses on amplifying the voices of survivors of rape and abuse by creating large-scale portraits of survivors and allies painted on used billboard vinyl, poetry reflecting the emotional trauma of assault, and 3D printed wall sculptures of passages written by survivors.
In the spring of 2017, I began reaching out online and in-person to find survivors who would be open to talking to me. Some people agreed to send me a handwritten text about their experiences. These writing samples included thoughts, poems, and descriptions of the assault they had never shared previously. These people are strangers, acquaintances, close friends, and family. Now, my network of survivors is ever-expanding, with lots of portraits in progress.
As a survivor, I continue to seek healing for others and for myself through this work.
Email: madison@madisoncowles.com