Reflections and Conversations: Monica Rudquist and Jerry Rudquist

In Reflections and Conversations, Monica Rudquist is both artist and curator, assembling a show highlighting the visual connections between her clay work and her dad's mark making. At the same time, Monica is contemplating her recent sabbatical, as well as her upcoming retirement from teaching and her return to full-time studio practice. This transition in Monica’s life led her to revisit her dad’s art and archive—Jerry Rudquist modeled life as a teaching artist. In addition to having an active studio practice, he taught painting at Macalester College for 42 years. Noting compositional resemblances in their work, Monica writes:

“... I discovered a series of conversations between our artworks. Similarities, or moments of alignment, in the ways we approach form and space; our tendency to work within a series, utilizing abstraction and surface texture.”

For this exhibition, Monica will debut an immersive sculpture titled Murmuration. Installed on all four walls of the west gallery, the piece interacts with two of Jerry’s painting series—Must We Always Expect War and Warflowers. Taken together, these artworks heighten the dialogue between two-dimensional and three-dimensional abstract forms, transforming the space into a collaborative art installation. The east gallery will highlight Monica’s functional work and wall installations paired with Jerry’s Head and Figure, Gemini and Window paintings. These vignettes emphasize the formal dialogue Monica sees between their work, inviting viewers to witness the harmony in the lines, structures and shapes of the artworks.

Monica will be present at the opening reception on Saturday, February 1, 5–7pm.

Images attached

Left:
Monica Rudquist
Murmuration (detail), 2024
porcelain with black crackle glaze
9’ x 102’
Image courtesy of the artist

Right:
Jerry Rudquist
Warflower - Roll n’ Rip, 1997
acrylic on a gessoed rag board
40” x 30”
Image courtesy of Monica Rudquist.