T. Harrison Judd
Rediscovering the work of J. Alden Weir
January 14 – February 25, 2016
Opening reception – Thursday, January 21, 4-7pm
Artist Talk – Thursday, January 28, 2016 4-5pm
Art Gallery, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT
All events are free and open to the public
Contacts: June Bisantz, publicity & design – junebisantz@mac.com . 860-423-4443
Anne E. Dawson, exhibition curator – dawsona@easternct.edu – 860-465-5117
The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University proudly presents In Place, In Time, the opening exhibition at Eastern’s new Fine Arts Instructional Center. This historically relevant exhibition celebrates the timeless parallels between contemporary and historical art-making through the work of Windham photographer T. Harrison Judd, whose images reveal striking visual and philosophical connections to the paintings of legendary Windham artist J. Alden Weir. Shared locations and points of view span generations of time to create this impressive salute to the enduring connections that unite art, love and life, in place – and in time.
In Place, In Time features thirty large-scale original photographs by contemporary Windham artist T. Harrison Judd, that demonstrate a shared aesthetic with famous American Impressionist and Windham resident, J. Alden Weir. Judd’s photographs commemorate settings and themes from today’s perspective that served as inspiration for Weir between 1882 and 1919.
The show explores significant parallels between the two artists, exploring their shared Windham location and experiences. Though from different generations, Judd and Weir both grew up in southwestern Connecticut and moved to Windham after falling in love – living and working in Windham with their respective soul mates. These similarities, along with strongly aligned personal philosophies reveal themselves in both subtle and dramatic ways throughout the exhibition, which includes, landscape still life and portraits of notable local artists and art-world figures. Curator Dr. Anne Dawson presents Judd’s work in two categories that clarify its connection to Weir’s: A Shared Aesthetic – Judd’s work before he studied Weir, and A Direct Response – photographs composed and shot by Judd in conscious relation to Weir’s work. Explanatory wall text and image pairings of the two artists’ work further highlight these connections.
In Place, In Time will be the inaugural event for Eastern’s new Art Gallery, a stunning
exhibition space in the University’s new state of the art Fine Arts Instructional Center. This exhibition will re-identify Windham and its community as a place of rich historical and creative importance with a vibrant legacy of art and place-making that characterizes it to this day.
T. Harrison Judd – Self Portrait, 1987
Pigment ink print on watercolor paper from 4X5 negative J. Alden Weir – Self Portrait, 1888 Oil on canvas 21X17” T. Harrison Judd, Looking southeast from American Thread Mills Bldg. No.2, with a view of the river and the smokestack. Willimantic, CT, 2011 Pigment ink print on watercolor paper J. Alden Weir, Willimantic, Connecticut, 1903 Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in.
T. Harrison Judd – About the Artist
Theodore Harrison Judd is a photographer, digital artist and creative archivist. Born in Danbury, Connecticut in 1961, he has also lived and worked in New York City and San Francisco.
His artwork has been exhibited in galleries, museums and public spaces and is held in both private and corporate collections. In collaboration with his wife and creative partner of 20 years, Judd has originated and produced public art projects, including The Willimantic Screen Project, The Portrait Project and End of an Era for which he won a CT Main Street Center Excellence Award in 2013 for his effective integration of history, future vision and community engagement. Judd’s professional clients have included the NFL, Southern CT Gas, the Charles Ives Center, Lucie Arnaz, and most recently, for over a decade and a half, the world renowned illustrator Maurice Sendak. A complete portfolio of Judd’s work is available at: futurehistory.com
Anne E. Dawson – About the Curator
Anne E. Dawson, PhD is an art historian, Professor of Art History at Eastern Connecticut State University and the Chairperson of Eastern’s Department of Art & Art History. Her current research focuses on J. Alden Weir in Windham, Connecticut, 1882-1919. This multi-faceted research on J. Alden Weir and his significance to the Windham community includes an educational website WeirInWindham.org, a short documentary, Love at First Sight https://vimeo.com/106756172, a multi-authored book, Rare Light: J. Alden Weir in Windham, Connecticut, 1882-1919, and an upcoming historical exhibition, A Good Summer’s Work: J. Alden Weir, Connecticut Impressionist, to be held at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London, Connecticut in March 2016. For more information about Dr. Dawson’s research visit WeirInWindham.org.