Judy Woodborne

27 prints for 27 years

Portrait of the artist: Judy Woodborne

In 1993 Judy Woodborne presented her MFA-show at the AVA and now, 27 years later, she returns.

I held my first graduate exhibition 27 years ago at the AVA, in June 1993. This was a remarkable exhibition for me, as I had worked for 3 ½ years for my MFA in Printmaking and this was the culmination of the works created. My show opened alongside the late Alice Goldin's work and, on opening night, the entire exhibition was bought by the late script and songwriter, Hal Shaper. To date, I think, this was the largest number of art work sales for a single exhibition. - Judy Woodborne

Now, with "Imaginarium - an exhibition of paper constructions and works on paper", Woodborne and the AVA have the chance to create yet another “first”: a curated body of physical work, presented as a virtual exhibition. 27 years later, Woodborne present 27 prints that are testimony of her unique printmaking style

Judy Woodborne, Imaginarium: Ship at Sea, 2020, Engraved linocut, paper cut construction, 30 x 40 cm

Inspired by mythologies on the subject of creation from diverse cultures, Woodborne’s works invite the viewer into a fantastical world where myth, natural science, and the nature of matter meet. Each work is richly layered to incorporating a multitude of printmaking techniques and combining them in unexpected ways. The resulting art works are often 3-dimensional, more like paper sculptures that traditional print works.

“I would consider myself to be a traditional printmaker, working in an experimental manner.” - Judy Woodborne

Judy Woodborne, The Three Fates of Mankind: Dream-catcher – Lachesis, 2019, Engraving on lino, Edition of 15, 58 x 86 cm

Woodborne describes the process and mythos behind the work Dream-catcher; “To create "Dream-catcher" I have used a traditional burin and graver on linoleum to engrave the work. The availability of linoleum enabled me to scale the work to a larger format size as opposed to the restrictions of a wood-engraving. The theme is inspired by the Three Fates of Mankind - Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos from Greek Mythology. In my interpretation of the theme, the "Dream-catcher", Lachesis, the second Fate, is portrayed as a youthful woman wearing an extended and fanciful wig resembling threads or waves, and her hair symbolic of the thread of life.

Judy Woodborne, Cabinet of Curiosities: Even Fish Could Fly, 2020, Engraved linocut, paper cut construction, Edition of 5, 20 x 30 cm

In the 27 years between her MFA show and this new foray into the virtual exhibition space, Woodborne has participated in many high-profile collaborative printmaking portfolios and showcased her work at numerous local art festivals and international print biennales. Her work is represented in international public collections and museums and, most recently, "Fabula Mirabilis" was selected for the International Printmaking Centre New York's Summer 2020- juried exhibition.

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