“My work is about life cycle: journey, religion and ritual, generational passage and the map of life.”
Judith A. Brust
Judith A. Brust is a nationally known artist who works in various mediums: painting and drawing, both abstract and figurative, sculpture, and most recently unusually large (4 ft x 8 ft) layered monoprints. Influenced by extensive readings in the works of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell and Gaston Bachelard, and inspired by the spiritual quality in the works of fellow painters and sculptors Mark Rothko, Paul Klee, Louise Bourgeois and Eva Hesse, Brust’s art, especially the monoprints, deserves a commitment of time and attention on the part of any serious viewer.
Brust’s Spirit Guide series, for example, more than 20 monoprints made over the past two years, confronts us with deeply felt intimations of life’s journey. Art historian Mary Buchan wrote, “Lyrical in feeling and heroic in scale, they capture in their veils of color the layers of the artist’s interests and emotions. They invite the viewer to enter into her world, where she explores concepts of religion, ritual and generational passage.”
Brust discourages any literal interpretation of her work, encouraging viewers to bring their own histories and life experiences to bear in responding to her images. Writer and artist Janet Schaunessy commented, “The monoprints remind us of what we already know- that living is both profoundly beautiful and meaningful and also painful and finite. We suffer as much as we experience joy and actualization. Danger encroaches upon us at every turn, but the surety is held out to us that we are not alone.
What is calm, soothing to look at, is also awash with meaning. Birds, the spirit guides whose wings will enfold and comfort us, are watchful and protective as we make our way past sharp fences that snag, and through the litter, muck and pollution of this postmodern world in which we live. Even the birds seem troubled, banding together and pooling their strengths, yet pointing the way with outstretched wing.
Works from this series run the gamut of size. Large, human-scale pieces address our exterior world, drawing us into color and beautiful danger, enfolding us in wings. Small, intimate pieces mirror the inner world, where true growth and change are possible. Stoic, beautiful birds again offer aid on our private journey from birth to death and rebirth. Here is a glimpse of truth and possibility, the artist helping to point the way.
Mystery also lives in this series, encouraging the viewer to ponder the unknown and perhaps unknowable. Studying and living with Brust’s pieces raises more questions than answers, making the viewer wonder anew about the divine, grace, purpose and hope.”
Judith A. Brust gave private drawing lessons in her home studio while raising three children and fulfilling her responsibilities as the wife of a corporate executive. When her children were grown, she went back to school and received her MA and MFA from SUNY Albany. She has exhibited extensively in both group and solo shows in the Northeast for the past thirty years; her work is in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States. Visitors and “summer people” on Nantucket Island since the 70’s, Judith and her recently retired husband, Robert Brust, have relocated to the island permanently. Her studio is also on Nantucket.
Galleryblue was opened by Judith Brust in Rochester, New York in 2004 when that city was still “home base.” During the summer of 2006, the gallery in Rochester was closed and relocated on Nantucket, opening “perilously,” according to the artist. An expanded galleryblue, now located at numbers 20-21 on historic Old South Wharf near the center of town, will be open from Daffodil Weekend in late April through Christmas Stroll Weekend in early December. Special opening receptions will be announced during the season.