A thin, shockingly green shelf runs along the walls of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts gallery. Perched precariously on the ledge are 100 or so small paintings and drawings, little postscripts to Robert Godfrey’s latest works.
None of the pieces—executed in charcoal, oil and gouache—measure much more than 36 square inches. All of them tell stories featuring a recurring cast of characters, apparently drawn from Godfrey’s life. Publicizing the private has always interested Godfrey, who has been painting for nearly half a century.
But Godfrey prefers to talk about his work in more mischievous terms: Even when his subject is serious, he revels in the playful dimension of painting.
Godfrey advises young artists to find “the most playful situation possible.
“The best thing about being a painter,” he says, “is that you invent your own problems – they are your problems – you are not trying to solve someone else’s problems. You find your own amusement, you answer to nobody else. It is a very time-consuming process. You just wait for that occasional moment of clarity that makes it worthwhile.”
Asked about the last exhibit he saw that he really loved, Godfrey named a show of Goya’s last drawings: “He was an old man but he was still having a hell of a lot of fun. The drawings had a strong element of play—you would never know that he was an old man!”
Godfrey also enjoyed solo shows by John Currin and Elizabeth Peyton, but says he’s more often inspired by politics or science than by fellow artists.
“I’ve killed all my idols. I see very few exhibitions, and I subscribe to no publications. What I know about the art world comes to me by word of mouth from my friends around the world, and from a little gossip here and there.”
Godfrey taught in several schools up north before arriving at Western Carolina University in 1986. He was a teacher who inspired by example, maintaining a strong studio practice while teaching and heading a growing art department.
He believes art education should give students a foundation in visual communication skills. “Then,” Godfrey says, “it is up to the student to use those skills with empathy. I believe that we, as a species, are born to be empathetic and we choose whether or not to pursue that impulse. Some people put it into art.”
[Connie Bostic is an Asheville-based painter and writer.]
Robert Godfrey’s More will be shown at Black Mountain Center for the Arts (225 West State St.) in Black Mountain through Monday, April 30. 669-0930.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.