Judy Pfaff

Judy Pfaff (b. 1946) is an American artist celebrated for her innovative, multidisciplinary practice spanning installation, sculpture, and printmaking. Known for her dynamic and immersive visual language, Pfaff often explores themes of time, transformation, and the layering of materials and meaning. Her work challenges traditional boundaries between mediums, creating richly textured compositions that invite close observation and interpretation.

Created in 1997, Cronos is part of the Point of Contact permanent collection and was featured in Point of Contact: Eye On Cinema – Vol. 5 No. 1. The work reflects Pfaff’s engagement with temporality suggested by its title referencing Cronos, the mythological figure associated with time while also resonating with cinematic themes of sequence and perception.

The piece consists of black-and-white photographic prints, contributed by Rob van Erve, and presents a compelling exploration of contrast, light, and form. Through its monochromatic palette, Cronos emphasizes tonal variation and composition, inviting viewers to consider the passage of time and the stillness of captured moments within a photographic frame.

Measuring 10 × 7 inches and presented in an 18 × 14 inch frame, the work balances intimacy with presence, drawing the viewer into its visual narrative. As part of the Hawkins-held collection, Cronos exemplifies Pfaff’s ability to translate conceptual ideas into striking visual forms, reinforcing her role as a leading figure in contemporary American art.

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