Shea, Judith

Judith Shea began her artistic career not as a classical sculptor, but with an education as a fashion designer, which continues to influence her work to this day. Clothing plays a special role in her art, symbolizing the human body – or its absence. Her earlier sculptures consist of empty clothes that suggest a human body through their mere presence, even though no one is inside. These “empty garments” offer the viewer plenty of room for projection and interpretation.

In the 1990s, Shea began creating entire figures with heads and differentiated features, often combining various materials such as bronze, iron, wood, fabric, foam, and even hair. These sculptures appear highly realistic and expressive. Another recurring feature of her work is its engagement with the history of art; ancient sculptures, classical statues, or religious icons frequently serve as models for her pieces of art.