JUDY SINGER, A LEGACY OF COLOR, MOVEMENT, AND PASSION

In 1974, towards the end of her fourth year at York University's Fine Arts programme, Judy Singer was discovered by the late Jack Pollock, one of Toronto's foremost gallery owners of the times. From this first show at the Pollock Gallery, she has gone on to show in many solo and group exhibits across Canada and the United States. Most notably, Singer was chosen in 1982 to represent Canada at the Carnegie International in Pittsburgh. In 2006, she was inducted into The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Over the years, she has forged strong collegial relationships with many luminaries in the art world; fellow artists Sir Anthony Caro, Helen Frankenthaler, and Larry Poons who critiqued her work at The Triangle Workshop in 1983 and prominent critics Ken Carpenter, the late Clement Greenberg, Karen Wilkin, Kenworth Moffett, and Joan Murray who have all been regular visitors to her studio. Judy Singer also taught painting, drawing and art history at York University from 1976 to 2005. She continues to impart her passion for art through her lectures and workshops.

Interview by Rebeccah Love

Can you describe your childhood? What kinds of creative activities did you most enjoy?

I had a regular, middle class childhood.  I came from a loving, fun family.  I had and still have many good friends.  I enjoyed drawing, painting and music.

How would you describe your teenage years? How did you spend your free time?  

My teenage years were untroubled.  I had lots of friends and did well in school.  I loved going to overnight camp where I discovered I was very athletic.  When I was 16, I started taking art lessons once  a week at night.  The art school was called MSH Studio School of Art.  I had extensive training in drawing and oil painting from live models.  It was very a traditional approach through which I developed a very good eye for detail and many skills.

What art did you gravitate towards in your youth? (Books, music, movies..)

I read popular novels, listened to the Beatles and loved romantic movies.

What high school classes did you enjoy the most? Did you have any standout teachers?

My English teacher in high school stands out for me.  She inspired in me a love of poetry .

What route did you take after graduating from high school? What were the big questions that fascinated you the most, going into adulthood?

I was accepted into Fine Arts at York University in 1970.  It was a new programme in its second year.  The professors were all practicing artists.  I studied art history, drawing, painting, printmaking, music history, theatre, film and photography.  It was an amazing 4 years and when I graduated, I knew I had discovered my calling in life.  A month after graduating, I found a small studio on College Street near Spadina where I stayed for ten and a half years.  I had many part time jobs to support myself.  I was taken on by The Pollock Gallery while still in my last year of university.  I started teaching at York in 1976.  I taught painting, drawing and art history until 2005.  Teaching was a great joy to me.

What kinds of painters and visual artists have you enjoyed the most in your adult life?

  I enjoy all great art from art history: classical to contemporary.  I am particularly attracted to Manet, Impressionism. Matisse, abstract expressionism.

Can you talk about your contributions to the  'Impulse' show at the James Rottman Gallery? What questions are you exploring in these artworks?

 It’s not so much about “Questions”.  My work is not intellectual or political.  My work is about aesthetics and spirituality.

What is the greatest challenge you have encountered in your painting career?

The greatest challenge is to create a work of art that is authentic and aesthetic and something that can stand up to the great works of art from history. 

Do you find Toronto to be an artist-friendly city?

IN the 1980s and 90s,  Toronto was a very artist friendly city with many galleries, an artist community and active art collectors.  It seems that today, there are less galleries and they are spread out so it feels less of a community.  A lot of art is less about aesthetics and more about content.

Why is art and painting important?

It’s important to me because I love to be moved by art.  I can’t comment about what it means to other people.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to enjoying my life as much as possible!! 

Artist Judy Singer’s newest body of work, “Prisma” will be on display at James Rottman Fine Art Gallery, 830 St.Clair Avenue West( www.jamesrottmanfineart.com) from February 15th to March 8th.

'Prisma' displays Singer’s refined technique, daring use of colour and vibrant brushwork. 

“Through what I call a living collaboration between the paint and me, I aim to communicate deep feeling and spirit.  The paint itself is just paint in a tube.  But with human intention, it transforms into a language that communicates deep meaning.”