Micheal Madigan’s artistic story begins in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1957 amid the fading echoes of a once-thriving railroad and mining community. Growing up during the social upheavals of the 1960s and 70s, Madigan witnessed firsthand the unraveling of old traditions and the transformation of his hometown’s landscape—experiences that would leave a lasting imprint on his creative vision.
As a young artist, Madigan was drawn to the expressive power of European painters, particularly the spontaneous energy of the COBRA movement and the textured abstractions of Antoni Tàpies. These influences propelled him beyond formal realism and into the world of expressionism and nonrepresentational, mixed-media painting. His canvases became fields of dynamic color and layered texture, each one a meditation on memory, change, and the passage of time.
Travel became a vital part of Madigan’s process. He found inspiration in the rugged coasts of Ireland, the rolling hills of Southern England, and the sunlit landscapes of Italy, Spain, and France. Even the American West left its mark on his evolving style. Each journey added new layers to his work, which often explores how memories are shaped, altered, and sometimes obscured by the flow of life.
Now based in Hamilton, New Jersey, Madigan continues to let his paintings unfold organically, surrendering control to the unknown and allowing each piece to develop through sequences of shifting color and form. For him, the most evocative art emerges when intention gives way to discovery.
Micheal Madigan is significant for his ability to transform the fleeting nature of memory and time into vibrant, abstract compositions. His unique contribution lies in his refusal to dictate meaning, instead inviting viewers to find their own stories within his work’s layered surfaces. Through this open-ended approach, Madigan’s art resonates with anyone who has ever reflected on the complexity of personal and collective history, making his paintings both deeply personal and universally relatable.
You can find Micheal Madigan’s work through several galleries and venues:
Strikoff Fine Art, New York City
Morpeth Contemporary Art, Hopewell, New Jersey
James Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aisling Group Fine Art, Washington, D.C.
These galleries occasionally have Micheal Madigan paintings available, although his works rarely go to auction or public sale. His paintings are known to retain and increase in value, with some pieces valued around $11,000 to $11,500 as of recent years.
Additionally, Madigan’s work is exhibited in museums and special exhibitions, such as the University Museum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which recently featured his paintings exploring memory and time.
For direct inquiries or to explore available works, you can also visit his official website at www.michealmadigan.com or contact galleries representing him. Some of his paintings, like the notable “Untitled” acrylic on canvas from 1990, have been featured in charity auctions and private collections
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