The Human Condition: The Stephen and Pamela Hootkin Collection Sept. 2014 | Page 150

ARTISTS' BIOGRAPHIES

Moonelis, Judy
American; (b. 1953, Jackson Heights, NY; lives in New York City, NY)
1978 MFA New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, NY
1975 BFA Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Judy Moonelis is best known for her large ceramic heads that measure nearly three

SELECTED REFERENCES:

feet in height. Reminiscent of Easter Island monoliths, Moonelis’ incised sculptural pieces

Manhart, Marcia, and Tom

represent a heightened emotional state and reflect the conflict between inner and

Manhart, eds. The Eloquent Object:

outer reality. Moonelis’ ceramic sculptures take the head as a primary subject matter
and are often marked with a herringbone pattern, a motif borrowed from the Dogon
people of Mali who used this pattern to visually represent the universe thought to be

The Evolution of American Art
in Craft Media Since 1945. Tulsa:
The Philbrook Museum, 1987.
Moonelis, Judy. “As if Looking

an alternation of opposites. Moonelis adapts this notion of opposites with sculptural

into a Mirror.” Studio Potter 16,

heads that are two-sided or with figural pieces that open up to expose the figure’s

no. 1 (December 1987): 12–13.

interior life. Moonelis studied under Rudolf Staffel at the Tyler School of Art at Temple

Moonelis, Judy. “Resume.“

University in Philadelphia and then earned an MFA in ceramics from the New York State

Judy Moonelis. Accessed

College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Following her graduate program, Moonelis
taught for one year at Rock