Interview

Mar 12

Jordan Judd

Connecticut based oil painter, Jordan Judd (b. 1990), captures vast surrealist environments with dynamic baroque inspired figures. He choreographs dynamic figures, and expresses explorations from the depths of his mind. Graduating from Pratt Institute in 2013 with a BFA and a BPhil, he is heavily inspired by philosophy. Judd invites the viewer to linger on a thought and connect with an experience shared by others. His work draws the audience in close, as if he were sharing an intimate secret. He aims to reach the mind of his audience by unveiling a window into the landscape of his thoughts.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I grew up in New Rochelle, NY in an artful and loving family. Living so close to the city, with aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins living in Manhattan; I would frequently take trips to the museums and galleries that decorate the city streets. The MET reigns supreme. I was supported and inspired by my family to pursue my art from a very young age. My mother, an artist in her own right, brought creativity into the most precious and unexpected moments from her art framed on the walls to the decorated brown bag lunch, everything was art. My father, a chef to his soul, was so passionate about the artistry of the garden and kitchen. He showed me how to see art as an interaction of the senses which needs planning. My older brother, who was always so energetic, loud, and playful, showed me how large of an impact your energy can have on others. My mom would say I started my journey in the art world when she found me as a baby gleefully laughing as I covered myself in paint after I had escaped from my crib. Sounds like a good place to start, Mom is usually right.”

What inspires you?

“I am inspired by art history and literature. The Baroque period was most impactful for how my art developed. For me, the drama and grandeur of the baroque period highlighted the power of creating an emotional-visual connection to the richness of the world. The most dynamic and intense use of lighting was the first element of the baroque period to catch my eye. When reading, I find myself lost in the theater of words. Blind to the world around me, I am transported into the fluidity of space and time that can only be captured through literature and poetry. I admire the way words can be woven together to paint dreamscapes themselves. In these timeless worlds. Between ink and paint. I find myself inspired.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I pursue philosophical themes in my art. Philosophy, the love of wisdom, has always led me on the path of finding meaning in life and self. Time and emotion are metaphysical and epistemological themes that I am constantly intrigued by. We are inescapably tethered to them both. I find it curious how emotional states can alter our perception of time. We all try to capture emotional moments of time and hold onto them for as long as we can. A first kiss, a last conversation, holding a newborn, a final embrace. Moments we celebrate and mourn, they change our perception of time. A moment of curiosity can echo for years to come. These are the moments that I try to capture in my work. These are the themes I pursue and the messages I leave.”

How would you describe your work?

“I have a love-hate relationship with describing my work. On one hand, I would describe my work with pride as a classical practice of academic study as told through the eyes of a visual poet. There is a theatrical overlay in my compositions which sing to dramatic and narrative scenes building tension while frozen in time. On the other hand, my artwork is exactly as it sounds; Work. Like most other forms of work in the world, it’s a laborious endeavor full of mistakes, frustration, doubt, confusion and commitment. So, I would also describe my work as a pain in the ass, like ice-skating uphill. But I couldn't imagine my life without it. My work is an extension of myself. My thoughts, my feelings, my dreams and nightmares.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Johannes Vermeer is my strongest technical influence. Guido Reni is my strongest influence compositionally. Salvador Dali comes in a close third place bringing a more divergent psychological element into play. Piet Mondrian is an artist who is influential for me, but out of aesthetic aversion. I can't stand his work! I respect it and appreciate its importance, but I just don’t like it. I believe we are influenced by what we dislike as much as what we enjoy.”

“I pursue philosophical themes in my art.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process is a humming fluctuation between chaos and tranquility. It begins spontaneously with a spark of excitement [positive or negative] and motivation. This spark can come from anywhere, the motivation is usually included, but sometimes it's sold separately. Typically, I will work on multiple pieces in a series simultaneously. While in the throes of manic excitement, my process is trembling with a vigorous application of paint. I typically listen to music loudly while I paint, so there is a lot of dancing involved with my process. I paint ambidextrously, holding multiple brushes in each hand. I also have been known to paint with a bottle of wine, accompanied by various snacks.. it’s pretty much a party. On a more intimate level, my brushstrokes reflect a war being waged against symptomatic struggles of neurodivergence and disability. During a more contemplative stage of my process, there is a slowed calm intensity with exacting precision, where a more surgical approach is needed. This stage of the process is typically coupled with a therapeutic meditative quality to combat frustrations of chronic illness. When I am feeling more academic, I work sequentially from background to foreground utilizing atmospheric perspective while implementing layering techniques to mask off elements and build upon underpainting construction lines from dark to light. When I am feeling more expressive and therapeutic, I will work by color theory and the psychology of color, deciding what element I paint based on what color matches my emotional state to give an emotional texture to the painting. My creative process is an extension of me.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“The role of an artist within society is to instigate change towards a world we want to be a part of. The job of the artist is to capture what our view of the world is and how we dream it to be. To stand out, to be heard, to be seen. To develop a perspective and share something worth sharing. To remind society of what we value and believe in. To reach out and connect with someone in an intimate and intangible way. The purpose of art is to be in touch with the soul, the essence of what it means to be human, to feel and embrace change, to create. What we choose to share with the world changes the world it’s shared with; So we, as artists, should exercise mindfulness, courage, and caution with what we are putting into the world. The role of the artist in society is changing strongly in response to the digital era. With the development of AI, artists have a more important role now more than ever to create and embrace human creativity. Art has proven to be among the few precious items that continue to speak from generations before to generations yet to come as a bridge to share an experience. An evolving role of the artist is to maintain the creativity in humanity, its soul; and ensure it is not lost in the shadow of technology.”