Unison Bank's November artist is John Scherbenske.
Scherbenske has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis on painting from University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., and started painting consistently in his early 20s. He said his painting is based on his drawing abilit and he's been drawing since before grade school.
His paintings at Unison reflect the impetus of a larger body of work. The work often deals with similar subjects, in order for him to fully develop an unbroken concentration. He said continuity is important, but simultaneously, so are innovation and dissimilar ideas that connect to a cohesive body of work. The pieces often facilitate under-painting, with many layers of glazes, and at times assorted pieces of metal and other surface abrasion.
Professor David Boggs offered insights and ideas, for pieces. Other professors pointed out strengths for the paintings and the possibility for improvement. Some of the artists that influenced Scherbenske's work include Rembrant van Rijn, medieval art, the Baroque, Casper David Friederich, Degas, Phillip Guston, Neo Rauch and Matthew Ritchie.
Scherbenske said this work, in addition, draws heavily upon literature. Writers such as Dostoevsky, Schleiermacher, Stark, Erasmus, Conrad, Phillip Johnson, Ludwig Feuerbach, Darwin, Freud, Lenin, Marx, Nietzsche, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Orwell, Spotnitz, and Chris Carter were examined and synthesized. These works, again, make visible a fraction of the larger concentration.
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Modernists consider great art something that is not easily understood, he said, being more, and necessitating scholarly knowledge to comprehend.
"I believe strong ideas, great relevance, and virtuoso ability create the best work," he said.
Scherbenske's education includes a degree in history from North Dakota State University in Fargo and classes at Jamestown College. He has exhibited at the Reiland Fine Arts Center, Babb's Coffee House in Fargo and Jamestown, the Meeting Grounds and the Kirkpatrick Gallery, both in Jamestown.
