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Left: Donald Judd, Shot by Arnold Newman, 1973, Right: Chair |
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Left: Donald Judd sketch, Right: Chair |
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Left: Installation, Right: Chair |
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Left to right: Installation, Chairs, Installation |
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Left: Installation, Right: Poster for 1970's exhibition, Leo Castelli, NYC |
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Left: Studio in Marfa, Texas, Right: Chair |
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Left: Blue Bookcase, Right: Installation |
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left: Installation, Right: Print |
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left: Exterior Installation, Marfa, Texas, Right: Japanese Poster |
Donald Judd (1928-1994) did not really want to be known as a
minimalist, nobody really likes to be branded I suppose? However he has been
associated with that movement. Many would not know this but while I love the
layer of objects, my core has always been an appreciation of minimalism. I have
always loved the clean and uncomplicated lines of Judd’s work in all mediums.
His work in sculpture and furniture is most known
Wikipedia says Judd sought
autonomy and clarity for the constructed object and the space created by it,
ultimately achieving a rigorously democratic presentation without compositional
hierarchy. What does this all mean one might ask, I think largely it is saying
that Judd’s work was so purposeful and executed with such vision and determination
that his stamp is simply seen without any confusion throughout all his work.
It’s a purity that is spell bounding!
To have this vision and for
it to resonate with such strong conviction is something as Artists we all
strive for, no matter what profession.
Donald spent much of his life
and career in New York City where in the late 1960’s he bought a five-story
building that allowed him to start placing his work in a more permanent manner
than was possible in gallery or museum shows. Over the next 25 years, Judd
renovated the building floor by floor, sometimes installing works he purchased
or commissioned from other artists.
In 1979 Judd purchased desert
land near Marfa, Texas,
The first furniture was designed in 1973, when he moved from New York to Marfa.
Early furniture was made of rough pine but Judd continually refined the
construction. Later he worked in sheet metal. The pieces included chairs, beds,
shelves, desks and tables. Desk and Chair (both 1984), made of
clear anodised aluminium and copper respectively, demonstrate Judd’s move from
hand-crafted forms to embracing methods of industrial manufacture.
All photo's credited where possible.
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