‘Surrogates’ on display at University Gallery

The paintings currently on display in the University Gallery can be viewed as more than simple human figures and stuffed animals.

They are all considered to be surrogates, said Jason Godeke, the artist of the paintings.

Surrogates, which are the theme of Godeke’s work, are people (sometimes stuffed animals in Godeke’s paintings) who are appointed to act for another.

Using surrogates instead of specified figures allows for a free interpretation of the work, Godeke said.

“My hope is that because the surrogates aren’t specific people, it’s possible for a wide range of viewers to identify with them, to feel empathy or a plight,” Godeke said.

Some paintings in the exhibit portray a lot of movement. Each one seems to have some active environment present.

At times it might seem as if the paintings reveal certain stories within themselves but Godeke hopes instead that his paintings remain autonomous, he said.

“[The paintings] don’t require some other narrative for the viewer to get them,” Godeke said. “I don’t usually try to tell a super specific story.”

Godeke, who has been painting seriously since college, considers himself to be a realist painter who has been influenced by numerous painters and artists, he said.

However, he said he feels that some of his college professors might have had a greater
impact.

“Richard Ryan and John Hull have left more of a mark on me than any artists I ever studied in books or museums,” Godeke said.

Within every piece of artwork, Godeke said he feels there is some subtle part of his own views and beliefs reflected. This is often something he feels cannot be avoided, he said.

“I can’t help but reflect my politics, or my class, or my educational background,” Godeke said. “It’s all there.”

One piece of artwork that particularly reflects something important in Godeke’s life is a drawing titled “Endeavor” that his wife posed for.

“I think it speaks metaphorically to all of us who are pushing against the overwhelming weight of our own destructions,” Godeke said.

However, there is something more personal to be seen behind this drawing, he said.

“I also see it as a specific testament of how hard [my spouse] works,” Godeke said. “She doesn’t do anything in half-measures.”

Because the drawings in the exhibit are his most recent pieces of artwork, Godeke said these are the pictures that are most meaningful to him.

“I’m struggling with them,” Godeke said. “I don’t feel entirely in command in that medium [drawing]. That excites me.”

As part of his artist statement of the exhibit, Godeke said he often will look to newspaper headlines for some inspiration.

Doing this gives him the opportunity to recreate a simple plot line with his own twist. But for the most part Godeke starts off with something simple, he said.

“I start with a germ of an idea, but it means next to nothing until the work is pretty far along,” Godeke said. “The paintings develop and change – sometimes in minor ways and sometimes in dramatic ones.”

According to Godeke, some of his artwork took only one afternoon while others took much longer.

“The single painting that covered the most time would be Mound Grows, which went through numerous drastic changes between 2004-2007.” Godeke said.

E-mail Alexandra McClain at features@unfspinnaker.com.