Rochester-based sculptor Judy Onofrio’s latest exhibit, “Deep Dive,” is on display at Winona’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum from June 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025, as part of the museum’s Freshwater Series. The exhibit, curated by Christopher Atkins of the Sioux City Art Center, showcases Onofrio’s ocean-inspired sculptures, reflecting her deep connection to the sea. Raised on the Atlantic Ocean, Onofrio often finds solace and inspiration in oceanic themes, a sentiment heightened during the pandemic.
Onofrio’s work features playful and intricate sculptures, often incorporating elements like octopuses, mermaids, seals, and dolphins. Her past and recent works blend vibrant mosaics and monochromatic bone sculptures inspired by her battle with cancer, as well as fruit-inspired pieces symbolizing joy and healing. The exhibit also includes new water-themed works.
The exhibit’s title, “Deep Dive,” signifies both a thematic dive into water and a retrospective exploration of Onofrio’s past works. A standout piece, “Holding Up,” created over six months with her studio assistants, depicts a woman holding a colorful, patterned fish. This sculpture, crafted from various materials like foam, fiberglass, and shells, symbolizes Onofrio’s resilience and adaptation following the loss of her husband, Burt, in December 2022. Onofrio describes it as a “real bun-buster” due to the effort required to perfect it.
Onofrio’s artistic journey began in the 1970s with ceramics, evolving through various mediums and styles, including wooden structures and soft sculptures in the 1980s, and intricate brooches and beaded bracelets. Her works have been exhibited globally, and she has received accolades such as the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award.
Reflecting on her process, Onofrio cherishes the magic of discovery in her studio, emphasizing intuitive creation over commercial considerations. Her sculptures are part of permanent collections in regional museums, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the North Dakota Museum of Art. She values the joy her work brings to others, saying, “I like when people tell me that it is giving them joy and it makes them happy every time they look at my work.”
The exhibit will be previewed at a New Look Preview Party on July 12, 2024.
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