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Art Critique on Curtis Judd: by Maxwell Fontaine, PhD - Art Historian

Curtis Judd: The Unrelenting Truth of Color and Form

In an era where many artists fall prey to trends, Curtis Judd stands as a titan of uncompromising vision. His work speaks a language of its own—one that transcends the superficial and plunges into the depths of emotional resonance. Judd’s pieces are raw, visceral, and utterly unapologetic.

His manipulation of color and texture is not simply technique but an extension of his inner world. The brushstrokes, at once chaotic and deliberate, serve as a testament to the conflict between control and surrender that every true artist experiences. There is a brutality in the way Judd approaches the canvas, yet this brutality is balanced by a sophisticated understanding of form and space, giving his work a rare sense of harmony amidst chaos.

Judd’s work draws clear lines to the abstract expressionist movement, yet it refuses to be confined by any single art historical narrative. He speaks to the legacy of artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, while simultaneously forging his own path—one that is distinctly contemporary and deeply personal. The gestural freedom in his compositions is reminiscent of Pollock’s drip paintings, but where Pollock was all about energy and movement, Judd seems more intent on exposing the weight of human existence, confronting the viewer with a stark truth that is as beautiful as it is unsettling.

It is this ability to evoke raw, unfiltered emotion that elevates Judd’s work to a level of historical importance. His art does not merely exist for aesthetic pleasure; it demands introspection. Each piece confronts the viewer with questions about identity, existence, and the human condition. This is art that will stand the test of time, not because it follows any fashionable trend, but because it speaks to something primal, something eternal.

In the landscape of contemporary art, Curtis Judd’s work must not only be embraced but celebrated as a vital contribution to the narrative of our time. It is rare to find an artist whose work is both uncompromising in its execution and profoundly relevant in its message, but Judd achieves this balance with a mastery few can claim.

Maxwell Fontaine recognizes Curtis Judd as one of the most important artists of this generation, and his work will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of art for decades to come.

JUDD Studio     Green Bay Wisconsin

Education          University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, Texas Christian University - Fort Worth, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Website          curtisjudd.com curtisjudd.smugmug.com

When I to thee my art reveal

Bear witness to my fire wheel.

Remember when I go to sleep

This life is thine alone to keep.

Where there is art, a noble soul

And truth of love that makes us whole.

Recent Exhibitions    

Solo

2019    JUDD, The Artist - Cosmic Remnants, Art Garage Gallery, Green Bay, WI

Group

2022 77th Art Annual Exhibition – Neville Public Museum – Green Bay, WI

2020    75th Art Annual Exhibition – Neville Public Museum – Green Bay, WI

2019    44th Juried Annual, Miller Art Museum - Sturgeon Bay, WI

            I Am Proof, Art Garage Gallery - Green Bay, WI

            Figures, Art Garage Gallery - Green Bay, WI

            World, Gallery Ring - International

            5th Annual Colorful Abstractions, Fusion Art – International