Judith Bernstein facts for kids

Judith Bernstein (born October 14, 1942) is an American artist from New York. She is well known for her powerful drawings and paintings. Bernstein uses her art to speak out about important issues. These include women's rights (feminism) and being against war. She often connects these two ideas in her art.

Her most famous artworks feature a unique screw-like shape. This shape has become a symbol in her art. It helps her tell stories and make visual jokes. When the Feminist Art Movement began, Bernstein was a key member. She helped start A.I.R. Gallery in New York. This was a special art gallery run by women artists.

Bernstein taught art for many years. She was a professor at SUNY Purchase College. Her classes focused on large, bold drawings and drawing people. After she retired, her art became very popular again. New York Magazine wrote about her in 2015. They called her "an art star at last at 72." Bernstein herself calls this time a "rebirth."

Throughout her life, Bernstein has been part of several activist groups. These include the Guerilla Girls, Art Workers' Coalition, and Fight Censorship Group. Her art is displayed in many famous museums. These include the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Early Life and Education

Judith Bernstein was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1942. She grew up in a Jewish family. Her mother was a bookkeeper. Her father was a teacher who also loved to paint. He would paint with his friends in their basement. This is how Judith first learned about painting.

She earned two degrees from Yale University. These were a Master of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. At that time, it was hard for women to get jobs in universities. Before Yale, she also studied at the Pennsylvania State University.

Art and Activism

Bernstein's art often uses the same shapes or ideas over and over. This creates a playful but strong message. Her early drawings were inspired by two things. One was graffiti she saw in men's bathrooms at Yale University. The other was her belief that powerful leaders caused the Vietnam War.

She became interested in graffiti after reading a newspaper article. It talked about how graffiti could show deep thoughts. Bernstein realized that people often express their true feelings when they are alone. She started using phrases and simple images in her art. She also created a series called Union Jack-Off. These works used charcoal and oil stick to protest against power.

Famous Screw Drawings

Bernstein's most famous artworks are her "screw drawings." She started making these in 1969. These drawings show screw-like shapes that look like living things. They are powerful symbols in her art. One of her famous pieces was removed from an exhibition in 1974. Many important artists and critics protested this decision.

Fighting for Women in Art

Bernstein is a strong supporter of women's rights. She helped start the A.I.R. Gallery. This gallery was important because it gave women artists a place to show their work. Bernstein had her first solo show there in 1973.

It was hard for Bernstein to get her art shown in museums for many years. This was because of unfair treatment (sexism) in the art world. But in the 21st century, her work finally gained wide recognition.

Later Exhibitions and Recognition

Bernstein's art has been shown in many group exhibitions. These include shows at MoMA PS1 and the New Museum. In 2012, the New Museum gave her a solo exhibition. It was called Judith Bernstein: Hard. For this show, she wrote her name on a glass wall. She said it was about "ego, male posturing, and also my own ego."

In 2016, Bernstein had two more solo shows. These were Dicks of Death in New York City and Rising in Norway. Both shows were praised by art critics. Critics noted that her new works still felt as strong as her older ones. This showed how dedicated she has been to her art and her messages.

She also released her first art book, Dicks of Death. In 2016, she received a special award called the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship for Fine Arts. Today, Judith Bernstein lives and works in New York City. Her image is also part of a famous 1972 poster. This poster, called Some Living American Women Artists, celebrates women artists.