Jason DuMouchel | Artist Statement
The Seeker Series
My current series of works, “The Seeker” series has developed from several ideas that started with a desire to continue working with the figure. Using the female figure as a vehicle to explore different poses and concepts that have meanings depending on their context. The words or concepts I started with were Worship, Submission, Lust, and Seeker (or Seeking). I selected these idea because I feel they each have multiple levels of meaning and Ioften think about and explore them in my own life. If one were to look at a person on their knees with their head down and hands together in front of them then one might think that the person is praying or worshipping. But worshipping what? They could be praying to a benevolent god or praying for mercy from a darker force. The same can be said for “submission” poses. What are these figures submitting to? We can submit in both positive and negative ways.
The sculptures (with the exception of Leap of Faith) are all plaster sculptures with various other materials collaged onto the surface. The addition of the various materials are intended to symbolize memories, experiences, fears, dreams, and our connection to the earth. Each of the sculptures have both man made and natural components.
With the “Lust” sculpture, drawings and painting, my intent was to show the darker side of lust as an emotion. We all experience lust at some time or another and deal with it in various ways. If this emotion is not addressed, however, it can fester within us and destroy that which we lust for as well as ourselves. In the Lust sculpture and painting the female figure or Goddess is in fact being killed by the vary things that we ritualistically give her in order to win her affections. She is being choked, strangled, and stabbed by the gifts of the men that are racing about her in a competition of their own creation. During the process, the Lust sculpture particularly took on a very ritualistic, shrine-like appearance adding the symbols that represent the man’s quest for female affection.
An aspect of these works that may not be easily interpreted are the horses imagery. I feel horses possess both a god-like outer strength and beauty as well as an amazing inner knowledge and spirituality. In my work, the horses serve as self-portraits as a seeker and as a spiritual guide that possesses qualities of both light and dark forces.
The term “Seeker” is one that is not new to me. In fact in my late teens and 20’s I referred with disdain to people as “seekers” that I felt were needlessly seeking something in their lives or world that was bigger than themselves. People that I thought could not appreciate the presence of their daily existence. While I still believe that we must live each day with appreciation and enthusiasm, I realize that I too am a seeker of something bigger than myself in an effort to achieve balance and peace.