Shimmering luminescent tropical sea life, neon ultramarine koi ponds alive and undulating with blooming lily pads and speckled carp, fluffy coral-pink flamingos on a bed of citron jungle flora, graphic Warhol poppies and teeming Pointillist gardens, resting butterflies, snarling tigers, powdery smudged 1960s daisy prints, sweet Dachshunds, amiable rabbits and deers, gentle cranes, colourful cockatoos, softly arranged Japanese Gingko leaves, scenes of exploding sartorial and floral wonder replete with overlapping patterns, prints and hues.
Crane Bird Pattern Art Print by Marylène Madou
This vision is what awaits when one chances upon contemporary Belgian designer Marylène Madou. Although named after the 19th-century Belgian painter and lithographer Jean-Baptiste Madou, her work is of another ilk completely, and entirely, unabashedly her own. All illustrations are original, meticulously hand-painted and later digitally manipulated. Madou takes her inspiration from beautiful objects of the past: historic textiles, antique vases, vintage stuffed birds. She studies the blossoms of her own abundant gardens and pulls heavily from the world of fashion, which she loves. She makes frequent trips to museums, gardens and vintage shops, to gather a deep reserve of unique motifs and unexpected colour palettes to tap new work from.
White Tigers Green Art Print by Marylène Madou
As she says, “It often is a particular image that triggers my eye, whether an animal on a vase, a shape or a colour combination in a painting. My often eclectic and colourful aesthetic comes forth out of a fascination for historic textiles and unique objects… I most definitely like to combine this with elements that are close to my heart, such as private family gardens and Lemony (her Dachshund). Colour research and drawing are highly important to me in the process. Prints simply give me the opportunity to create my own world.”
Japan Sun Circle Black Art Print by Marylène Madou
This collection of Madou’s art prints was designed exclusively for KURIOSIS and printed in Berlin at our Atelier with Japanese archival inks. Whether your space be calm or lively, allow us to grace your walls with warm or cool colourful tones - a Madou-original sun-flooded meadow of plump saffron strawberries or a Madou-original midnight lilac garden illuminated by moonlight. Her prints have the power to soothe, refresh or revitalize any interior, imbuing any space with a distinct, enlivening atmosphere.
Koi Pond Art Print by Marylène Madou
KURIOSIS, is also proud to support and showcase the work of female artists. As a young female entrepreneur, Madou advises that one must learn to filter advice. As she says, “My brand launched two years ago, and during those past two years, I got so much advice from so many different people. Some of it was very useful, but some even quite hurtful, especially the ‘advice’ you get from older men in grey suits. It’s cliché, but my main thing is still: follow your gut, no matter what. But do have someone next to you that’s money-smart!”
Jungle Flamingo Art Print by Marylène Madou
Madou’s prints, fresh and invigorating, have taken the print world by storm and made an impressive mark in a short time. Her work has been featured in Fashion magazines Elle and Marie Claire and has already been utilized for several prestigious commercial collaborations. She is committed to being ecologically responsible and sustainable in her practice and demands integrity and attention to detail in all that she does. KURIOSIS shares her values and prides itself on this artist collaboration.