Tonal Series (2015–17), oil on linen-covered panel.

Maddy Rosenberg

B.F.A. '77

Tonal Series (2015–17), oil on linen-covered panel.

Creating and Curating Different Worlds

By Elisa Gallaro

Maddy Rosenberg (B.F.A. '77) always knew that art would be the driving force in her life. 

By age 12, Rosenberg realized that "I couldn't live without making art." When it was time to choose a high school, she applied and was accepted to the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, where teachers encouraged her to follow in their footsteps and continue her arts education nearby. But Rosenberg had other plans.

"I knew I was going to be an artist wherever I went to college," she explains. "I had many interests, so I was determined to go to a college known for academic rigor, where I could grab as much knowledge as possible and could study with amazing people in different fields."

The Brooklyn native also wanted to experience life outside New York City but, to keep most of her scholarships and financial aid, would have to attend college in New York state. Cornell University in Ithaca fit the bill on all counts.

A woman with long brown hair holds up a thick piece of white cardboard with a large rectangle cut out of it, resembling a frame.

Maddy Rosenberg.

Digitally printed artist’s book showing stairs to old brownstone buildings.

On the Waterfront (2020), detail of page 2 open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box.

As a fine arts major, Rosenberg specialized in painting and printmaking and had ample opportunity to branch out. "Back then, half of our classes were electives, and I took as many as I could," she says. "I was interested in diverse disciplines, within and outside the art world, and Cornell allowed me to pick and choose from this delightful menu that I couldn’t have gotten as an art major elsewhere."

She recalls notable guest speakers, including novelist John Cheever and artist, activist, and educator Benny Andrews. Among Rosenberg's most significant influences at Cornell was Gillian Pederson-Krag (M.F.A. '63), one of the few female art professors at the time. 

It was Rosenberg's first experience painting with oil, and Pederson-Krag "was a fabulous painting teacher. She got me so excited about color and about how to handle the paint, and she was so patient in letting me develop my skills and my vision," Rosenberg says. She describes Pederson-Krag as "inspiring," with a rare ability to help artists find and express their own voice instead of imposing her view or perspective.

The young artist took Pederson-Krag's lessons to heart. After Cornell, Rosenberg devoted several years to exploring and honing her voice before earning a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Bard College. That experience, in combination with her Cornell education, provided a fertile foundation for the career to come. Rosenberg's paintings, artist's books, and exhibitions are critically acclaimed in the U.S. and internationally. Her works have been exhibited in venues around the globe and are part of prestigious public collections. 

Two 9" x 9" panels. The left panel shows a dark brown rectangle at the center of the square with red architectural elements framing it at the top and bottom sides of the panel. The right panel has a dark red square over a photo of an outdoors stone structure.

Book of Days (2008), detail of lower panels, oil on linen-covered panels.

Baylor University acquired 15 of Rosenberg’s works in 2007 to establish its Artist’s Books Special Collection. The university has since added books by Rosenberg and others to a collection that now includes more than 1,500 works from artists and presses worldwide. MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum in New York City; the Fogg Museum at Harvard University; Yale University; the Tate Britain and Victoria and Albert Museum in London; Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin and Herzog August Bibliothek in Germany, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art all have Rosenberg pieces in their collections. The Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections at Cornell is home to two of Rosenberg’s three-dimensional books: Dystopia and Shadow of Descent.

Rosenberg's paintings are distinctive for their composition, extraordinary attention to detail, and ability to transport the viewer to imagined worlds. Most reflect her fascination with architecture and cultural history fueled by the experience of growing up in Brooklyn, where old and new buildings stand side by side. "I have always been interested in architecture and its ornamentation, especially in its less-than-perfect state," Rosenberg says. In buildings, she sees "memory embedded in places and spaces of the past." Rosenberg spends several months each year in Europe, where she sketches and photographs architectural details, such as grotesques and gargoyles, and gathers reference materials. In the studio, Rosenberg says, she "removes the images from their original context and reassembles them to create a world of my own."

Rosenberg prefers working small. Even her larger paintings, which are composed of multiple panels, are considered on the small side. The four-panel Tonal (2016–18), for example, depicts highly detailed bits of architectural spaces and facades from Glasgow, Bath, and Berlin, against a neutral plane of color. Each oil on linen-covered panel is 1-1/2" by 4-1/2"; together they form a quadriptych that measures 6-3/4" by 4-1/2". Rosenberg describes Tonal as "indicative of my paintings as a whole: I often combine elements from different times and places in a multipanel sequence."

Her artist's books present a sequence or series of images, objects, or a combination of both. Similar to her paintings, the books are small and exquisitely detailed. "But with a book, I could also explore the world that hovers between the flat surface and three-dimensional objects," Rosenberg says. "I have often played with this quality of the book as an object, moving it into the sculptural and then returning it to a piece for viewing in the palm of the hand."

Rosenberg also has made her mark as an independent curator. Her international, multivenue curatorial project, New York/Paris DIALOGUE Paris/New York (2005), received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, Rosenberg is the founder and director of CENTRAL BOOKING in New York City, a gallery that focuses on artists' books and exhibitions on art and science.

Underlying all her artistic endeavors is the same yearning that sent Rosenberg to Cornell decades ago: the quest for intellectual pursuits that could fuel her work as an artist. Over the years, that work has evolved as Rosenberg has been exposed to and collaborated with artists and intellectuals around the world. At her core, though, Rosenberg hasn't changed.

"I've always been up for ideas and collaborations that sounded interesting and would push me in different directions," she says. "I'm still an artist with broad interests beyond the confines of the art world."


Websites: MaddyRosenberg.net and CENTRALBOOKINGNYC.com

Projects


On the Waterfront (2020)

Digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box

Complete view, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, box: 8" x 4-1/2" x 4-1/2", pages and maps: 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 1/4" each (closed). Four pop-up pages fold down into their own drawers, with two folded historical map print replicas; each page pops up into a three-dimensional view of a simulated scene from the Brooklyn Waterfront along Buttermilk Channel.

Digitally printed artist’s book housed in a found box

Digitally printed artist’s book showing a sewage map from the Brooklyn Waterfront along Buttermilk Channel.

Open view, sewage map, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, four pages: 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" inches each, map: 14" x 10-1/4".

Open view, sewage map

Digitally printed artist’s book showing an old building and metal beams.

Detail of page 1 open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 3-1/4".

Detail of page 1 open

Digitally printed artist’s book showing stairs to old brownstone buildings.

Detail of page 2 open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 3-1/4".

Detail of page 2 open

Page from digitally printed artist’s book showing an old and worn commercial building and a faded billboard.

Detail of page 3 open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 3-1/4".

Detail of page 3 open

Digitally printed artist’s book showing an exterior view of a red brownstone building and a tan brownstone building.

Detail of page 4 open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 3-1/4".

Detail of page 4 open

Back views of a digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box. Three of the 3D pages depict blue skies and white clouds, the last page depicts a dreary, gray sky.

Detail of back pages 1–4 open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, four pages: 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" inches each.

Detail of back pages 1–4 open

Views of a dark brown box when closed and open, housing a digitally printed unique artist’s book.

Detail of box closed and open, digitally printed unique artist’s book housed in a found box, 8" x 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" closed.

Detail of box closed and open


Tonal Series (2015–17)

Four paintings depicting composite architectural imagery in heightened color placed side by side with transparent neutral color.

Tunnel Vision (2015), View from the Top (2017), Watch Dog (2016), Blast from the Past (2016), oil on linen-covered panel, 4-1/2" x 1-1/2" each. The series consists of four paintings of composite architectural imagery in heightened color placed side by side with transparent neutral color.

The Tonal series (2015–17)

Painting depicting a view through an archway adjacent to a space of mustard yellow color.

Tunnel Vision (2015), oil on linen-covered panel, 4-1/2" x 1-1/2."

Tunnel Vision (2015)

A rectangular panel depicts a building with sculptural elements, next to a yellow square.

View from the Top (2017), oil on linen-covered panel, 4-1/2" x 1-1/2."

View from the Top (2017)

A rectangular panel depicts a sculpture of a dog on top of a pillar watching over the entrance to a red building. A  buff yellow-covered square occupies the right side of the panel.

Watch Dog (2016), oil on linen-covered panel, 4-1/2" x 1-1/2."

Watch Dog (2016)

A rectangular panel depicts yellow architectural columns over a gray background. A pale yellow and gray square occupies the right side of the panel.

Blast from the Past (2016), oil on linen-covered panel, 4-1/2" x 1-1/2."

Blast from the Past (2016)


Book of Days (2008)

Each of the nine square panels is a separate “page” of a book of hours, flat shapes of colors offering us glimpses of cemeteries, city walls and crumbling ruins, melding the past with the present.

View of all nine panels, oil on linen-covered panels, 12" x 12", panel: 4" x 4" each. This work is meant to be "read" on many levels. Each panel is a separate "page" of a book of hours, flat shapes of colors offering us glimpses of cemeteries, city walls, and crumbling ruins, melding the past with the present.

Complete view

Two 9" x 9" panels. The left panel has a burgundy square over a photo of an outdoors stone structure. The right panel shows a dark purple rectangle across the center of the square with pink motifs framing it at the top and bottom of the panel.

Detail of first two panels, oil on linen-covered panels, panel: 4" x 4".

Detail of top panels

Two 9" x 9" panels. The top panel has a dark blue square over a photo of an outdoors stone structure. The right panel shows a dark green rectangle at the center of the square with green sculptures framing it at the left and right sides of the panel.

Detail of top right and middle right panels, oil on linen-covered panels, panel: 4" x 4".

Detail of right panels

Two 9" x 9" panels. The top panel shows a dark blue rectangle at the center of the square with blue sculptures framing it at the left and right sides of the panel. The bottom panel has a dark green square over a photo of an outdoors stone structure.

Detail of middle left and lower left panels, oil on linen-covered panels, panel: 4" x 4".

Detail of left panels

Two 9" x 9" panels. The left panel shows a dark brown rectangle at the center of the square with red architectural elements framing it at the top and bottom sides of the panel. The right panel has a dark red square over a photo of an outdoors stone structure.

Detail of lower center and lower right panels, oil on linen-covered panels, panel: 4" x 4".

Detail of bottom panels

One 9" x 9" panel. A stone wall has a hole in it, allowing the viewer to see a stone structure on the other side of the wall. The image is surrounded by a mustard yellow background.

Detail of the center panel, oil on linen-covered panel, 4" x 4".

Detail of center panel


Paris/NY DIALOGUE NY/Paris (2005)

Image of installation art viewed through windows.

Installation view, Abrons Arts Center, New York. An international, multi-venue curatorial project, Paris/NY DIALOGUE NY/Paris exhibited prints and print-derived artist’s books of 36 contemporary American and French artists.

Installation view, Abrons Arts Center

Printed fabric hangs from the ceiling next to white panel walls with art attached.

Installation view, Abrons Arts Center, New York. The project included three exhibitions in New York and three in Paris.

Installation view, Abrons Arts Center

A display case houses gift tags and a box with an open lid. Art prints hang on the wall behind the display case.

Installation view, Abrons Arts Center, New York. A video documenting the artists at work, a letterpress-printed catalog, and event programming further explored the participating artists' different approaches to printmaking. 

Installation view, Abrons Arts Center

Art prints and 3-D are displayed in an exhibition.

Installation view, The Center for Book Arts, New York.

Installation view, The Center for Book Arts

A triangular display case houses illustrated 3-D art.

Installation view, The Center for Book Arts, New York.

Installation view, The Center for Book Arts

Adults browse an art exhibition at a museum.

Installation view, Humanities Gallery/LIU, Brooklyn, New York.

Installation view, Humanities Gallery/LIU

A art exhibition showcases two distressed outfits displayed three-dimensionally and art prints hanging on walls.

Installation view, Humanities Gallery/LIU, Brooklyn, New York.

Installation view, Humanities Gallery/LIU

Art prints are displayed on translucent panels hanging from the ceiling.

Installation view, Humanities Gallery/LIU, Brooklyn, New York.

Installation view, Humanities Gallery/LIU


Plant Cure Project (2017–ongoing)

Sculptures of medicinal plants sit on round, white pillars.

Installation view of Plant Cure (2017), CENTRAL BOOKING, Lower East Side, New York. The project features the work of artists-in-residence at the New York Academy of Medicine and Brooklyn Botanic Garden, along with other artists working with the theme of medicinal plants.

Plant Cure exhibition (2017)

Artistic sculptures of vines hang from the ceiling in front of a white wall.

Installation view of Plant Cure (2017), CENTRAL BOOKING, Lower East Side, New York. CENTRAL BOOKING, a nontraditional gallery founded by Rosenberg, organized this project.

Plant Cure exhibition (2017)

Watercolor paintings of plants decorate a wall in a museum exhibition.

Installation view of Plant Cure (2017), CENTRAL BOOKING, Lower East Side, New York.

Plant Cure exhibition (2017)

A white shelf contains drawings and 3-D figures of human and animal skeletons.

Installation view of Plant Cure (2017), CENTRAL BOOKING, Lower East Side, New York.

Plant Cure exhibition (2017)

An image is projected onto a white wall as part of an exhibition.

Installation view of Plant Cure (2017), CENTRAL BOOKING, Lower East Side, New York.

Plant Cure exhibition (2017)

Small jars and pots of realistic plant sculptures fill a shelf.

Installation view of Plant Cure (2017), CENTRAL BOOKING, Lower East Side, New York.

Plant Cure exhibition (2017)

Framed watercolor paintings of pink plants line a wall as part of an exhibition.

Installation view of Plant Cure/Brooklyn Botanic (2020–22), Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York.

Plant Cure/Brooklyn Botanic exhibition (2020–22)

Display cases house sculpted representations of plants.

Installation view of Plant Cure/Brooklyn Botanic (2020–22), Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York.

Plant Cure/Brooklyn Botanic exhibition (2020–22)


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