Jen Boudevin“Don’t Get Excited,” an exhibition of photorealistic oil paintings by applied art and design student Randy Scudder, will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the UU Gallery, located in the Epicenter.
The opening will feature complimentary refreshments and live music by Randy Williams III.
“The paintings in this show were inspired by photographs that I’ve collected over the years,” Scudder said. “I like to use found images from the news, family snapshots and generally artless or common imagery.”
Scudder claims to shift styles frequently, but would roughly classify his pieces as a form of photorealism.
“All of the pictures in the show somehow deal with family relationships and the painting’s relationship to memory,” he said. “Painting a photograph transforms it in a subtle and mysterious way.”
The exhibit features a diverse selection of Scudder’s work in various styles. “It is a really interesting combination of picures,” said Amy Whittaker, student supervisor of fine arts. The pieces displayed cover a large spectrum of subject matter, ranging from family photographs to more socially aware displays. Scudder cites his influences as the German artist Gerhard Richter, as well as California painter Robert Bechtle, and also includes Vija Celmins, Francis Bacon, Chuck Close and Luc Tuymans.
The UU Gallery provides a free and easily accessible venue for students to check out artwork by fellow students.
“I feel it is important for students to see their peers’ artwork on display in the UU Gallery,” said Becca Swanson, ASI chief of staff. “It is a unique opportunity for students to be able to display their art in the Union and a great chance for others to support their work.”