Artist: Ron Jude

Indianapolis, IN, 2007. Archival Ink jet print. 23.5 x 30 inches. Edition of 5.

 Pasadena, CA, 2004. Archival Ink jet print. 23.5 x 30 inches. Edition of 5.

 Gallup, NM, 2007. Archival Ink jet print. 23.5 x 30 inches. Edition of 5.

 Near Donnelly, ID, 1995. Chromogenic print. 30 x 38 inches. Edition of 5.

Golf Course Conominiums, McCall, ID, 1998. Chromogenic print. 30 x 38 inches. Edition of 5.

Bio:

“Ron Jude is a photographer and teacher whose work has been exhibited at venues such as the Photographers' Gallery in London, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Roth/Horowitz Gallery in New York, and San Francisco Camerawork. His photographs are in many permanent collections, including institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the George Eastman House. Jude's work has been published in The New Yorker, Blind Spot and DoubleTake magazines, among others. In 2006, he published an artist's book entitled Alpine Star, which consists of appropriated images from his hometown newspaper in Central Idaho. An excerpt of this work was published in issue 35 of Blind Spot Magazine. 

Other Nature, a collection of photographs from 2001-2007, was recently published by The Ice Plant. For information on Other Nature, please visit The Ice Plant's website. A selection of Jude's recent work will be featured in a one-person exhibition at Gallery Luisotti from May 23rd through July 11th. 

Professor Jude has been teaching photography since 1993, and has been in his current position at Ithaca College since 1999. He is represented by Gallery Luisottii in Los Angeles.”

http://faculty.ithaca.edu/rjude/

Relation to my work:

Other Nature and 45th Parallel are two of Jude's series that really stuck out. I really enjoyed his shots of artificial wood grain and floral carpet patterns. This integration of nature, or artificial nature in this case, into everyday life directly relates to some of my newer images. What I found most interesting about this work is the Jude's intention. After I read the artist statement explaining Other Nature, I was very surprised to learn that I misread the images. The images don't have some underlying message. They are exactly what they are, and the viewer can take what they want from them. I think this "concept of Nothingness" is very important to look at seeing as how the subjects in the images are obvious. 

Inspirational Quotes:

“I had the idea that I would approach the landscape from a perspective that runs through most of my work, one that questions our capacity to “know” things, and addresses the limitations of rational thought.  I wanted to make images that pretend to fulfill the dubious empirical and narrative promise of a photograph, while quietly pulling out the epistemological rug.”

“Since there’s no clear narrative, no attempt at creating a sense of “place,” and no larger polemic being established, the photographs sort of stonewall you into looking for what else is there. And of course, there is nothing else there—just you.”

“There’s an unfulfilled suggestion of further meaning in my photographs, but in the final analysis, the only meaning in the picture is what’s in the picture. This is this, and that is that—there is nothing else. The frustration that comes with this realization is key to experiencing the photographs in Other Nature. So, “other” nature suggests that the physical world can act as a conduit for ideas about pure existence.”

“The concept of Nothingness may potentially lead to despair, but not necessarily. It can also lead to a sense of freedom.”

Interview and Quotes:

http://www.ahornmagazine.com/issue_4/interview6_jude/interview_jude.html

Artist Site:

http://www.ronjude.com

Gallery Representation:

http://www.galleryluisotti.com/

http://www.artnet.com/gallery/684/gallery-luisotti.html