Shelly Kerten Maderer
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Return to Childhood — Acrylic, mixed media, modeling paste, gold leaf, stones, and collage on canvas
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Plate No. 01

Return to Childhood

Dimensions70 × 100 cm MaterialsAcrylic, mixed media, modeling paste, gold leaf, stones, and collage on canvas CollectionMixed Media & Collage

This mixed-media work presents an iconic feminine figure reimagined through a playful yet powerful lens. The composition combines royal symbolism with elements of childhood, creating a visual tension between authority, nostalgia, and innocence.

Layered patterns, ornamental textures, and vibrant colors construct a richly detailed surface that blends fashion, memory, and identity. The figure’s gaze and posture convey confidence and self-awareness, while the candy motif introduces humor and emotional contrast.

Through the use of tactile materials and decorative surfaces, the work explores themes of femininity, power, and the freedom to reconnect with one’s inner child, inviting the viewer to reconsider notions of age, status, and self-expression.

The painting was created inspired by Queen Elizabeth.