Artist Statement Bryce Hudson’s use of hard edges, straight lines, geometric form, and a limited palette classifies his work as abstract. However, his use of color is symbolic, as each color represents different segments of the world’s population: black for African Americans; orange for Latinos; white for Caucasians; yellow for Asians. Therefore, the shape, position, and size of the colored forms become a comment on race, class, stereotypes, and identity in America and the world. The relationship among the colors is a revelation about domination, conflict, separation, and harmony among races and cultures.
At the same time, the canvas reduces these complicated subjects to simple visual elements. The painting Intensity Surrounding a Union can be seen as a comment on the pressures and pleasures of an interracial relationship, but without the title, the work could be viewed simply as a classic minimalist painting.
Hudson’s work ranges from personal to universal visions. In the Biracial Series, he explores his personal struggle to meet the demands of his dual heritage.
The series does not progress into a satisfactory solution of how the artist will come to terms with his biracialism; instead it explores his never-ending navigation between racial segregation and integration in our society. The 2001 work Biracial is a single canvas with black and white dovetailed into a fairly integrated and balanced piece. However, the 2005 Biracial (triptych) shows a more mature understanding of the complexities of acknowledging and having loyalty to both races. The first panel is a repeat of the 2001 piece; the second panel is a solid black “I” with the sides formed by white pieces; the final panel of the triptych has a black square at its core with a thick white border. All canvases are an accurate depiction of the artist’s self image and racial identity, depending on time and place.
Hudson uses vibrant yellow and oranges and glossy black and whites to create visions of order and joy. A darker side of his vision appears only when the titles of the works and the meanings of the colors are revealed. However, the order, joy, conflict, and tension represented in Hudson’s work are not incongruous. America Series (#1) with its harmonious border of bright green demonstrates how these various aspects can be combined to conjure up a positive, multifaceted, realistic outlook on the future of relationships between races and cultures.
Artist Statement :: Resume
Resume Education
1995-1997- The Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus OH
1997-2000 - Kent State University, Kent Ohio
Psychology, English, and Fine Art
GPA 4.0
1999-2004 - Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
Graphics Design
GPA 3.93
Exhibitions
1999 Beyond Bounderies The Speed Art Museum, Louisville KY
1999 Inequitable Conditions Gallery of Fine Arts , Lexington KY
2000 About Skin Swanson Reed Contemporary, Louisville KY
2000 Invitational Soloman Fine Art, Seattle WA
2001 NEXT The Watertower Museum of Art, Louisville KY
2002 Invitational Swanson Reed Contemporary, Louisville KY
2003 Invitational The Kentucky State University, Frankfort KY
2003 Exhibitions 2D, Marfa TX
2003 Invitational Swanson Reed Contemporary, Louisville KY
2004 The Water Tower Annual The Water Tower Art Museum, Louisville KY
2005 Minimalism Swanson Reed Contemporary Louisville KY
2005 The Water Tower Annual The Water Tower Art Museum, Louisville KY
2005 Exhibitions 2d, Marfa TX
2005-2006 HEXONA: IdentitySwap, The Adorno Studio, Louisville, KY
2005-2006 New Acquisitions Henry Schein INC., Melville NY
2006 Invitational: Art Chicago, 2006
2006 NBAF Embrace Mason Muir Fine Art, Atlanta, GA
2006 Navigation Recent Work by Bryce Hudson Gallery 253, Atlanta, GA
2007 Finding Family 21c Museum, Louisville, KY
2007 Solo Exhibit Gallery NuLu
Awards
1997 Full Scholarship, Kent State University, Kent OH
2002 Speaker, Digital Media in Contemprary Art
Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY
2000 New Artists Award, Water Tower Art Museum, Louisville KY
2004 Partial Scholarship, Scholarship America, St. Peter, MN
2005 Kentucky Arts Council Grant
