9/27/10 Monday

Colleen Rudolf

http://www.colleenrudolf.com/

"There are a lot of dogs represented in these drawings, and in the painting section. I find the relationship between human and canine to function as a synthesis of larger issues; such as evolution, behavioral science, cognitive science, cross species communication and adaptation.

This made the shelter dog of particular interest. Reasons sited for surrendering of companion animals are often behavioral and are as a result of a dog who is misunderstood. I see this as a direct result of the extreme egocentrism that humans practice."

Artist Statement

My work focuses on natural forms and systems, both figurative and non-figurative. There is a sense of play through both choice of materials, process and subjects depicted. I see my work as collaborative and my job to assemble parts into a whole that effectively communicates my own critical perception of the world around me. I am interested in the environmental context of the work and I see the human experience greatly enhanced by the process of making things and experimentation.

Biography
Colleen Rudolf is a sculptor, painter, public installation artist and new media explorer. Born in 1981 in New York City, she later earned her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College in 2003 with departmental honors in Fine Art. After three years of traveling and working, she decided to refine her practice and earned a graduate degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2008 where she was awarded the Fellowship Juried Prize honorable mention and the Justine Cretella Memorial Scholarship. She currently works out of her studio in Philadelphia, PA.

Isn't currently represented by any gallery.

Review: http://theartblog.org/2010/04/shapes-and-animals-at-tiger-and-grizzly/

"Rudolf has constructed an interactive installation where the audience is encouraged to participate and be a determining factor in the work’s life. Consisting predominantly of sculptural objects, the included pieces attempt to explore various methods of communication. Using the animal kingdom and modern technology as inspiration, the viewer is challenged to consider exactly what it means to “connect” to another entity."

Colvin, Vincent. "CON⠂NECT" Colleen Rudolf. http://grizzlygrizzly.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/connect-kuh-nekt-colleen-rudolf/ 30 March 2010.

"Rudolf is both perceptive and playful in contrasting animals’ straightforward and instinctual manner of relating to each other with humans’ inability to give our full attention to any single interaction. Rudolf believes that humans’ lack of focus is a recent development, due to the barrage of technological communication to which we are increasingly exposed.

The theme of Rudolf’s exhibit is illustrated most clearly in a series of three works on pedestals. On one pedestal is A Moment, a delicately wrought sculpture of two penguins facing each other. On the pedestal on the opposite end is Cellular Phones, two cell phones standing so close together that they, too, seem to be huddled in intimacy."

Kantor, Becca. Shapes and Animals at Tiger and Grizzly. http://theartblog.org/2010/04/shapes-and-animals-at-tiger-and-grizzly/ 11 April 2010.