Judith Scott (1943-2005, US)  was a textile artist. Born with Down Syndrome, she enrolled at the Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California, where she was able to develop her artistic practice. Unable to speak, Scott instead created enigmatic sculptures to express her imagination. She developed a unique, personal technique of wrapping mundane objects with threads, twine and strips of fabric. With a repetitive, erratic and instinctive gesture, Judith created a process that both expands and conceals the initial objects. Her sculptures take organic and abstract shapes, interwoven with soft and complex thread networks. Her inventively anarchic process implies a critical alternative to traditional techniques and academic art. Liberated from the burden of intention, Judith Scott’s sculptures are open to a multitude of interpretations.

Judith Scott, Animal, 1990
Raffia, thread and wool yarn on wireframe
Donation of L’Aracine in 1999
LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut, Villeneuve d’Ascq
n° inv. : 999.9.1

Judith Scott, Butterfly-Tapestry, 1990
Wool yarn, raffia and thread
Donation of L’Aracine in 1999
LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut, Villeneuve d’Ascq
n° inv. : 999.9.2

Judith Scott, Drum, 1992
Thread and wool yarn on wooden wireframe and wicker
Donation of L’Aracine in 1999
LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut, Villeneuve d’Ascq
n° inv. : 999.9.3

Judith Scott, Doll, 1992
Wool yarn and fabric on wire frame
Donation of L’Aracine in 1999
LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut, Villeneuve d’Ascq
n° inv. : 999.9.5

Judith Scott, White Oval Form, 1988
Wool on wicker wire frame
Donation of Creative Growth Art Center in 2002
LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut, Villeneuve d’Ascq
n° inv. : 2002.5.1