JUDY BRYANT
JUDY BRYANT
My interest in art, architecture and design both urban and graphic started at an early age as I was introduced to several New Zealand painters, artists and architects – including artists working in mixed medium – metal, fabric, print, oils and acrylics. I lived as a child and adult in Christchurch and as an adult in Auckland, moving to Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States, before settling in Canada in Toronto, in 1979 and later in London, in 1996.
I lived in six different cities, in three countries and as an architect, artist and politician this enriched my experience of built form, art and design. Fortunate to travel widely in Western Europe, I am fascinated with how cities evolve and regenerate over time. How the layering occurs and can be read as one walks the streets.
As a politician in the City of London I focused my energies and talent on: planning, design and cultural issues. A major initiative was introducing design guidelines for the City as well as initiatives in a London Strategic Cultural Plan, the London Heritage Council, the Downtown Master Plan, Community Plans and a Structural Plan for the city. The City is the canvas I worked on from 2003 – 2013 and was just that much bigger. The city needed the eye of a paasionate, designer and artist, understanding of the role that culture and heritage plays in the fabric of a city, and working and teaching others of the importance of built form in making a city that works – environmentally, socially, economically and culturally.
My recent art works with grids is part of an upcoming show “Clusters” at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement and reflects the importance of built form and the resilience of cities as they are transformed through changes in technology, use, and disasters. A critical event for me was returning to my childhood city, Christchurch, New Zealand, soon after the massive earthquake that destroyed essentially the whole of the downtown and most of the nearby neighborhoods, the impact of that affected me profoundly. Several visits later I am heartened to see creative adaptation and energy, as new life is being restored to that city. This theme of resilience and renew forms part of my new work.
The grid patterns and structure form a critical part of earlier work in a different medium and subject range. People, fragments and hope that is displayed by refugees fleeing from human tragedy, war, famine and lack of hope. My work is not critical but I seek to provide the viewer with the sense that this is a beginning not an end. Devastation in the worst scenario of war and terrorism can bring hope, as cities and those in them begin to absorb the damage from unspeakable loss.
Further Background:
My work has been shown extensively in Canada, also in New Zealand and the US. Artwork is in many collections in all three countries.
At Large or “The Feathers” was installed in several Canadian galleries including: The Joseph D. Carrier Gallery in Toronto (also on Bravo News;) The Thames Art Gallery, Chatham; Gallery Lampton, Sarnia. Solo shows include Sheilia Roth Gallery; Samuel J. Zack’s Gallery: Angell Gallery Toronto; Gallery in the Grove; Thielsen Gallery; Ingersol Art Centre and Conde Gallery NY. My work has also been in many group shows and juried competitions.
Judy Bryant, B. Arch. Toronto
My interest in art, architecture and design both urban and graphic started at an early age as I was introduced to several New Zealand painters, artists and architects – including artists working in mixed medium – metal, fabric, print, oils and acrylics. I lived as a child and adult in Christchurch and as an adult in Auckland, moving to Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States, before settling in Canada in Toronto, in 1979 and later in London, in 1996.
I lived in six different cities, in three countries and as an architect, artist and politician this enriched my experience of built form, art and design. Fortunate to travel widely in Western Europe, I am fascinated with how cities evolve and regenerate over time. How the layering occurs and can be read as one walks the streets.
As a politician in the City of London I focused my energies and talent on: planning, design and cultural issues. A major initiative was introducing design guidelines for the City as well as initiatives in a London Strategic Cultural Plan, the London Heritage Council, the Downtown Master Plan, Community Plans and a Structural Plan for the city. The City is the canvas I worked on from 2003 – 2013 and was just that much bigger. The city needed the eye of a paasionate, designer and artist, understanding of the role that culture and heritage plays in the fabric of a city, and working and teaching others of the importance of built form in making a city that works – environmentally, socially, economically and culturally.
My recent art works with grids is part of an upcoming show “Clusters” at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement and reflects the importance of built form and the resilience of cities as they are transformed through changes in technology, use, and disasters. A critical event for me was returning to my childhood city, Christchurch, New Zealand, soon after the massive earthquake that destroyed essentially the whole of the downtown and most of the nearby neighborhoods, the impact of that affected me profoundly. Several visits later I am heartened to see creative adaptation and energy, as new life is being restored to that city. This theme of resilience and renew forms part of my new work.
The grid patterns and structure form a critical part of earlier work in a different medium and subject range. People, fragments and hope that is displayed by refugees fleeing from human tragedy, war, famine and lack of hope. My work is not critical but I seek to provide the viewer with the sense that this is a beginning not an end. Devastation in the worst scenario of war and terrorism can bring hope, as cities and those in them begin to absorb the damage from unspeakable loss.
Further Background:
My work has been shown extensively in Canada, also in New Zealand and the US. Artwork is in many collections in all three countries.
At Large or “The Feathers” was installed in several Canadian galleries including: The Joseph D. Carrier Gallery in Toronto (also on Bravo News;) The Thames Art Gallery, Chatham; Gallery Lampton, Sarnia. Solo shows include Sheilia Roth Gallery; Samuel J. Zack’s Gallery: Angell Gallery Toronto; Gallery in the Grove; Thielsen Gallery; Ingersol Art Centre and Conde Gallery NY. My work has also been in many group shows and juried competitions.
Judy Bryant, B. Arch. Toronto