Biography
JEFFREY REED grew up in the concrete jungle of Long Beach California, and from an early age was preoccupied with making objects of natural beauty. While completing his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal. Poly. University, San Luis Obispo, Reed designed and built his first adobe house for an artist friend. He then went on to work for Rammed Earth Works, designing and building rammed earth houses in northern California and a school in Nicaragua. In his late 20's, he branched out into sculpture, making works for both private individuals and the public, firstly in concrete and later in metal. In his mid 30's, he formed the design/build firm of Reed Madden Designs with his wife and partner. Since 2000, they have been creating site-specific environments that serve the public and celebrate the natural environment.
JENNIFER MADDEN grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She studied art at the University of California, Santa Cruz and later went on to receive her master's in landscape architecture from U. C. Berkeley. After graduate school, Madden started her own firm creating artful gardens. For ten years she taught landscape design U. C. Davis and has always enjoyed teaching and adding educational components to her designs whenever possible. Madden met Reed at a barn-raising. They have been working side by side ever since.
Together, they have spent 25 years on an artists' journey in the field of public art, exploring sculptural solutions that celebrate the character of a site and its community. They believe public art should encourage gathering, contemplation and joy.
Artist Statement
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