Author note: Sophie Ruderman is a young artist from Brighton. Ruderman moved to London in late 90 to continue her study and career as a professional painter/artist. From her studio in Camberwell, Ruderman paintings has developed from directly using everyday imagery to ‘collaging’ places where several locations can exist within one image.
Artist Statement: My paintings are possible outcomes to series of questions around the idea of ‘what if?’ The choice of organic object- chosen for it’s ‘alive’ qualities - works within its surroundings. The object and landscape compose each other, as the subject is in part drawn by the background and vice versa.
The peculiar yet familiar reasoning of the objects in their surroundings question what is actually out of place in these curiously fleshy environments, the organic forms or us? Its peculiarity is questioned further when we begin to accept the normality of these forms habiting such places.
My concerns are with the viewer and how they can become alienated in such landscapes, which some how belong to these organic habitants. Playing around with the tradition of perspective and landscape are ways that highlight the location of the viewer within my painting.
The palette I have been working with is muted, but interrupted by harsh black lines and solid shadows. Attempting to give the painting a non-specific time, blurring the boundaries between what is real and what is not.
Exhibitions: 2003 Snow, Transition Gallery, London Portrait of the Artist as an Exquisite Corpse, London The Show, Royal College of Art, London Royal Academy Summer Show, London
2002 Loosely Drawn, Kingsland Road, London Interim Show, Royal College of Art, London Hold Your Horses, Royal College of Art, London Two person show, National Art School Sydney, Australia Diversion, Arch 295, Camberwell, London
2001 Future Map, London Institute, Millbank, London Chelsea College Degree Show, London Come & Hear The Change of Voice, St Martin-in-the Fields, London
2000 Rising Damp, Wimbledon Gallery, London Interim Show, Chelsea College of Art & Design, London
1999 Engaging with Pollock, St. Martins Gallery, London
1998 Free form, Brighton University Gallery, Brighton
