Judy Martin Metaphysical Thinking Cotton, found paper, floss, and cord with back stitch, running stitch, and wrapping. 15 x 48 cm Text in book: Each of my books (scrolls) have a unique text consisting of one metaphysical thought or question. Sometimes, there is just one word used per book. Examples are: not truememoryrealityhow realityaffects people who am I?verify everyday existencepersonal identity eternal form mind and bodyunderlying realityhuman thought and behavior consciousnessprimary qualitiesthe nature of realitythe essence thinksubstanceI am I existmetaphysical thinkingall forms of realitythe ultimate nature of realitywhat is real?the idea of self Artist's Statement: These tender scrolls are each concerned with the need many of us have to ponder on metaphysical issues such as "Who am I?" or "What is real?" Because hand embroidery is a slow medium it seems able to translate the considerable amount of time spent in this meditative state. Human existence takes place through a long series of images. Everyone sees differently because everyone has his or her own personal life story that affects comprehension. I think humans continually seek understanding of their life and art helps to show a way. Judy Martin began her professional art career by exhibiting watercolour paintings of her four children. She grew up in the Fort Frances area of Northwestern Ontario, and has lived and worked in Thunder Bay and in Kenora. She went to Lakehead University twice, once at age 19 for a teacher’s diploma and again fifteen years later for a fine arts degree. For the last eleven years her family has enjoyed the serenity of their home below the scenic lookout at Ten-Mile Point on Manitoulin Island. Judy learned to make quilts as a young woman and eventually chose this traditional medium to express her concerns regarding women artists and daily life. During the 1980s and 1990s her embellished art quilts were widely exhibited and have brought this artist national renown. Judy has produced sixteen solo exhibitions of her quilts and paintings, and has participated in over 60 group exhibitions across Canada and the United States. Her work is in several public collections, including the Canada Council Art Bank Recently Judy has been making mixed media textile art, combining fabrics, threads, paints, photos, and text in order to communicate poetically. Exhibit Loan Page Exhibit Collection Purchase Page