Judith Scott
SEE THINK WONDER
What do you see in the picture?
What do you think is happening and what was the artist trying to tell you with this picture?
What does this picture make you wonder about?
Judith Scott was born in Ohio with her fraternal twin sister Joyce in 1943. Scott was institutionalized at the age of seven at the Columbus State School. She would remain in state institutions until 1985, when Joyce became her legal guardian and brought her to California. Scott entered the Creative Growth Studio in 1987, initially displaying little artistic interest until a visiting artist workshop with the sculptor Sylvia Seventy, during which Scott discovered the medium of fiber art.
https://creativegrowth.org/judith-scott
Judith Scott and her twin sister Joyce
Screenshot from Judith Scott at the Museum of Everything, BBC's Culture Show 2011
Judith's wrapped sculptures, abstract in shape, were sourced from hand-built armatures from discarded or found materials, often concealing an inner structure or a cache of items. Her practice was marked by her independence, self-direction, and for never repeating a form or color scheme in her multi-media textile sculptures. Scott created nearly 100 sculptures during her tenure in the Creative Growth Studio, where she practiced until her death in 2005.
https://creativegrowth.org/judith-scott
Photo courtesy of the American Visionary Arts Museum
Judith Scott, Untitled 1988. Courtesy Creative Growth Center, Oakland
Judith Scott, Untitled 1990
Assignment
Using found objects, yarn, ribbon and string, students construct their own sculpture inspired by the work of Judith Scott. Students may choose to place a 'treasure' (object, picture or written note) inside their sculpture.
Vocabulary
fiber art: art that uses natural or synthetic fibers such as fabric or yarn
context: the circumstances in which something exists or occurs
concealed: kept secret, hidden
anthropomorphic: described as or thought of as having human characteristics
evocative: bringing strong images, memories or feelings to mind
National Core Arts Standards
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Enduring Understanding: Artists and designers experiment with forms, structures, materials, concepts, media, and art-making approaches
Essential Question(s): How do artists work? How do artists and designers determine whether a particular direction in their work is effective? How do artists and designers learn from trial and error?
VA:Cr2.1.Ka, VA:Cr2.1.1a, VA:Cr2.1.2a, VA:Cr2.1.3a, VA:Cr2.1.4a, VA:Cr2.1.5a
VA:Cr2.1.6a, VA:Cr2.1.7a , VA:Cr2.1.8a
VA:Cr2.1.Ia, VA:Cr2.1.IIa, VA:Cr2.1.IIIa
Why This Project?
Exploring the lives and working methods of neurodiverse artists recognizes the diverse ways in which people think, learn, create and perceive the world.
Teacher Example
M. Armour
Isabella C.C.P.C.S
Student Work
Allen C.C.P.C.S
Ty'Shaun C.C./P.C.S
Sky C.C.P.C.S
Mycah C.C.P.S
Ryan C.C.P.C.S
David C.C.P.C.S