Artist Statement
My sculpture utilizes second-hand and repurposed materials like home fixtures and fibers, pipes, steel and other industrial mediums to propose new terms for connection. By expanding or subverting the initial intended use of these materials, I aim to stimulate reflection on their internal mechanism of communication–and what this language implies about our systems of value. I am particularly interested in these material’s relationship to physical systems, like plumbing or architecture, as a site for bodily connection. Towards the goal of more engaged connectivity I am researching the generative potentials of dilapidation and demise, where cracks, holes and leakage are the life force, and vulnerability is the currency. The borders of our bodies, buildings and countries are transient and permeable and I am to exemplify this through the exploration of the energetic body and the ways in which we crack open and leak onto one another across barriers.
My affinity for reused objects comes from my personal history—my mother and stepfather work as vintage dealers and my father is a new construction plumber. My worldview has been defined by the exchange of goods and labor, discarded objects, essential tools, and extracted value. Watching my mom and step-dad’s process of evaluating potential items for resale sparked an interest in how we derive new value from objects that would otherwise be considered “trash.” This experience has developed into the formal and conceptual starting point of my practice: that in reevaluating our relationship to waste we can shift how we relate to one another. Instead of only valuing humans by their productivity as measured by their contributions to labor and the economy, we can recognize one another’s intrinsic, non-extractable value. Across my work I hope to emphasize how hegemonic systems of separation and barriers—whether physical, social, or psychological—are ultimately transient and permeable, and beyond them lies greater opportunities for meaningful connection.
Bio
Maddie Jones Rodriguez is an artist living and working in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated with her MFA in fiber and material studies from Tyler School of Art & Architecture in the spring of 2025 and her BFA in painting from Texas State University in San Marcos Texas. Her current sculptural practice explores the creation of objects that subvert function and propose new avenues of connection. Rodriguez has worked across art and community as an educator and studio assistant while building her personal practice.
CV
Madeline Rodriguez
maddiejonesrodriguez.com
rodriguez.maddie@gmail.com
Education
2025 MFA, Tyler School of Art & Arch., Fiber and Material studies Philadelphia, PA
2021 BFA, Texas State University, Painting San Marcos, TX
Solo Exhibitions
2025 there’s a leak Practice Gallery Philadelphia, PA
Holes Temple Contemporary, MFA Thesis Exhibition
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 (Upcoming)Do You Feel Real?, Showtown, Icebox Project Space Philadelphia, PA
(Upcoming) Future Continuous CFEVA
Streetview Studio 105, in conjunction with Sensus publication
To hear to view Icebox Project Space - Juried by Anthony Elms
2024 High in Fiber Abington Art Center Jenkintown, PA
The Sublime is Meow Big Ramp Philadelphia, PA
Fuzzy Forms Stella Elkins Gallery
Material Matters Green Hallway, Tyler School of Art & Architecture
2020 The Violet Hour BFA Thesis Exhibition TXST(virtual) San Marcos, TX
You Had to Be There TXST (virtual)
Professional Experience
2025 Curtis Custom Fab, Metal shop worker Philadelphia, PA
Grizzly Grizzly, Participating Collective Member
2024 Fuzzy Forms, Curator, Stella Elkins Gallery
Pepón Osorio, Studio Assistant
2022&2023 Mendez Middle School, Fine Arts Teacher Austin, TX
2021&2022 Totally Cool Totally Art/City of Austin, Sculpture Teacher
Gil Bruvel, Studio Assistant Wimberley, TX
2020&2021 ArtPace Residency, Intern & Paid Studio Assistant San Antonio, TX
Bibliography
2025 Sensus Volume 1: Streetview Publication by Diego Juarez & Macy West
Intersections MFA Catalog by Liam Maher
To hear to view Exhibition Catalog by Anthony Elms
Academic Leadership & Awards
2024-2025 Graduate Arts Collective, Leadership-Vice President Philadelphia, PA
Tyler Scholarship Full Tuition
Joseph Janczuk Scholarship
2023-2024 Tyler Scholarship Half tuition
Public Speaking & Lectures
2025 Visiting Artist Lecture, Q&A, Student Reviews, Raritan Valley Community Coll.
there’s a leak, Q&A with CFEVA programs director Lily Gilston
2024 Fiber and Material Studies MFA Artist Talk Series, Temple University
2023 Fiber and Material Studies MFA Artist Talk Series, Temple University