Jud Nelson

Art Brokerage: Jud Nelson American Artist: b. 1943. The Oregon-born Nelson studied at Bethel College and the University of Minnesota. He is best known for his detailed sculptures of everyday objects: a bulging plastic garbage bag, sunglasses, folding chairs, and Popsicles. Nelson carves his pieces himself and is one of the few modern sculptors who works directly in marble. "Carving is my approach to form," he has noted. "My work is based on direct observation, line for line, fold for fold." In 1986 the Senate commissioned sculptor Jud Nelson--Walter Mondale's choice--to create Mondale's portrait bust for the Vice Presidential Bust Collection. Announcing the commission, Mondale said, "I credit my wife, Joan, for introducing me to Nelson's work, which spans a broad range of exceptional creative endeavor." Active in the art world, Joan Mondale had served as honorary chairperson of the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities during her husband's vice presidential term. Nelson's most celebrated sculpture is a heroic bronze astronaut figure at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His work has been exhibited widely and is held in several permanent collections, including those of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Listings wanted.