Judy Mooney

Artist’s Statement 2010

I love to create images of people that tell their stories. My work - realistic figurative sculpture - is inspired by stories of people through history and I believe that telling their stories with sculpture helps preserve an important part of their history. I focus on expression and movement to capture the essence of their stories.

While working as a community developer, I developed an appreciation for the diversity of people in our communities and love for all people. I find that each person brings his or her own beauty, richness, and energy to our world. I find their stories interesting, captivating, and compelling. It was in this work that I first learned about the Gullah people and my most recent body of work is about the Gullah-Geechee culture.

Before touching the clay, I spend time doing research for the body of work to ensure that each piece conveys an authentic message. Early in the design phase of a piece I explore the expression and gesture that will tell the story the best. As the figure emerges from the clay, we speak to each other and through this dialogue we refine the narrative until we agree that the piece has a voice of its own. The clay I use fires to a stone-like finish and I may add cloth dipped in clay slip or hand made paper for texture and color. I play with different media to give final accents.

I hope my documenting these stories through sculpture provide a window into a culture and a part of our history that gives new insight or joy at remembering an old story you have known. My hope is that you will enjoy these sculptures today and that the stories will be preserved for future generations.