be wary of the thistles at your feet!

"as much a window to madonna's soul as her constant re-invention" -
in style magazine

"madonna in art" was first released in the united kingdom in august of 2004 by chaucer press/ pop art books. an international publication was realized just months later. the 192-page coffee table book, which was laboriously - and lovingly - compiled by mem mehmet, features over 100 artists. BRADY is one of them, contributing six pieces inspired by the one and only, madonna.

what follows is a collection of the BRADY art featured in the book, as well as press articles and reviews, and photos from the november 2004 american release party at avalon in new york city. strike a pose, let's get to it...

"this is a vivid tribute to a consummate entertainer." - daily express

towering inferno (2001)

"here's a woman who has pulled herself up by her bra straps and who has been known to let them down occasionally." - bette midler

(from left to right) BRADY and "madonna in art" compiler mem mehmet at the book signing table at the new york release party, november 2004. dougee dimensional, vocalist of "the gentle people," and shintaro iio at the avalon (formerly limelight) for the "madonna in art" party.

window displays for "madonna in art" sprouted up all over the place in the latter part of 2004. here's one on old compton street in london, england.

london's "mail on sunday" magazine featured a five-page article about "madonna in art" just prior to the book's release in august of 2004, coincidentally the same month madonna brought her sold-out re-invention world tour to the united kingdom.

viva (1995)

"i have felt despair in my life, but i have a very good survival mechanism." - madonna

the south african newspaper "free4all" published a two-page article about the artists and inspiration behind "madonna in art." released in august of 2005, the article includes a segment on BRADY, in which the artist shares his advice for the aspiring young artists of south africa. (see below)

lead us into temptation (2002)

"i pray when i'm in trouble or when i'm happy. when i feel any sort of extreme." - madonna

(inset) fellow "madonna in art" artist joseph lawrence vasile with film producer/photographer, and one-time madonna collaborator, maripol at the avalon for the "madonna in art" party. (from left to right) "madonna in art" contributing painters jason leblond, claibourn hamilton, and BRADY, and the book's compiler, mem mehmet, greet the party guests at the book signing table at avalon.

the uk's famed "heat" magazine gave "madonna in art" four stars in august of 2004, and felt that the book was "a thoroughly entertaining, very readable, beautiful coffee-table book any fan of madonna would want to own." we heartily disagree though with their comment that the book is full of "artists you've probably never heard of."

tree of inspiration - trunk (1998)

"i started off as an artist, and it's very important that i am viewed as one. that my art is judged, not the choices that i make in my personal life." - madonna

"attitude" magazine previewed "madonna in art" in their summer 2004 issue. the one-page article begins with the spot-on comment, "sometimes an idea can seem so obvious, and so obviously good, that you can't quite imagine why no one has ever done it before."

(from left to right) artist samantha levin and photographer sara achilli groove on the dancefloor at the "madonna in art" after-party in new york city, november 2004. vocalist jeannie buxo mingles at avalon for the release of "madonna in art."

new york city's "hx" magazine featured an article about "madonna in art" - and held a competition seeking new madonna art - upon the american release of the book in november of 2004.

detail of untitled (1997)

"there are indisputable truths that connect all religions, and i find that very comforting. my spiritual journey is to be open to everything." - madonna

(from left to right) an image of one of the "madonna in art" pages featuring BRADY's work is projected high above the dancefloor and onto the walls inside the cathedral at avalon for the american release party. BRADY signs for a "madonna in art" release party guest. dougee dimensional, samantha levin, duvet vedette, and BRADY hide out at the avalon for the "madonna in art" party.

miami's "splash" magazine featured a two-page event report from the november 2004 american release party for "madonna in art" at new york city's avalon.

weeds or wildflowers (1996)

"i want to rule the world. every time i reach a new peak, i see a new one i want to climb. it's like i can't stop. maybe i should just rest and admire the view, but i can't. i've got to keep on pushing. why? i don't know. i don't know what motivates me. i just know i've got to do it." - madonna