The most astonishing sculptures to emerge in the past few decades come from an artist who had no frame of reference, except her own: the great Judith Scott. As her first comprehensive American retrospective, Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound at the Brooklyn Museum revels in the late artist's brilliant body of work, all done in a relatively short, unintentional career of just 17 years.
Born with Down Syndrome, Scott became deaf as a child and was institutionalized for 35 years in Ohio, before her twin sister Joyce became her legal guardian and moved her to Northern California. Joyce would bring Judith, then in her early 40s, to Oakland's Creative Growth, a studio dedicated to artists with developmental and physical disabilities. For awhile, Judith wouldn't create much except a few uninspired drawings. One day, she moved onto the textile station, and the compelling act of wrapping, rewrapping, and meditating through touch—became her obsession. From then on, she would create a secret world with her hands: complex, sinewy sculptures, concealing found objects like a bicycle wheel or a skateboard until they were bound to satisfaction.
Seeing so much of Scott’s work collected together—the retrospective showcases about sixty pieces from the artist's career, who, in 2005, died at the age of 61—is like viewing artifacts from another world, or like the manifestation of thought itself. Her use of color and layering are exquisite, ranging from muted tones to brilliantly contrasted bursts of color. “It is truly significant that her work is now being shown at Brooklyn Museum's Sackler Center for Feminist Art,” says Tom Di Maria, the director at Creative Growth, who is featured in this video showing the artist at the art center. “Even a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for an artist with Down Syndrome to be shown in this context, and not in a disability-only art show.”
Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound runs through March 29
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238
MAP![]()
Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound confirms that Judith Scott has finally arrived as one of the most important and original American artists of the past few decades. Photos courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum![]()
Her use of color and layering are exquisite, ranging from muted tones on some pieces to brilliantly contrasted bursts of color on others.![]()
Working tirelessly, the sculptor created a formidable and astonishing body of work in just seventeen short years, before passing in 2005. ![]()
The artist at work, at Oakland's Creative Growth Art Center.
Born with Down Syndrome, Scott became deaf as a child and was institutionalized for 35 years in Ohio, before her twin sister Joyce became her legal guardian and moved her to Northern California. Joyce would bring Judith, then in her early 40s, to Oakland's Creative Growth, a studio dedicated to artists with developmental and physical disabilities. For awhile, Judith wouldn't create much except a few uninspired drawings. One day, she moved onto the textile station, and the compelling act of wrapping, rewrapping, and meditating through touch—became her obsession. From then on, she would create a secret world with her hands: complex, sinewy sculptures, concealing found objects like a bicycle wheel or a skateboard until they were bound to satisfaction.
Seeing so much of Scott’s work collected together—the retrospective showcases about sixty pieces from the artist's career, who, in 2005, died at the age of 61—is like viewing artifacts from another world, or like the manifestation of thought itself. Her use of color and layering are exquisite, ranging from muted tones to brilliantly contrasted bursts of color. “It is truly significant that her work is now being shown at Brooklyn Museum's Sackler Center for Feminist Art,” says Tom Di Maria, the director at Creative Growth, who is featured in this video showing the artist at the art center. “Even a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for an artist with Down Syndrome to be shown in this context, and not in a disability-only art show.”
Art is a language unto itself, and for Judith Scott, it was the most direct language she had.
Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound runs through March 29
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238
MAP
Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound confirms that Judith Scott has finally arrived as one of the most important and original American artists of the past few decades. Photos courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum
Her use of color and layering are exquisite, ranging from muted tones on some pieces to brilliantly contrasted bursts of color on others.
Working tirelessly, the sculptor created a formidable and astonishing body of work in just seventeen short years, before passing in 2005. 
The artist at work, at Oakland's Creative Growth Art Center.