Terrifique’s VIP Series – JOCELYN DUKE

Do you know Jocelyn Duke? I mean, not know of her, of course you do. I mean know her. Personally. Because I’m not name-dropping or anything, but I do. Just sayin’. I sat down with l’artiste herself recently at R Gang Eatery over some Duck Fat Fried Tots and drinks. Formerly a northeasterner, she’s made a name for herself in a big way, by making art in a (literally) big way from her studio North Park. Jocelyn is one of SD’s most well-known artists, (she laughs at the notion that she’s “famous”) and is hot off the heels of her Lovesick exhibition. She’s feeling as driven as ever to kick ass and take names, and she’s ready to give her uncensored opinion on, well… everything.

Jocelyn was so candid and forthcoming that I kept forgetting I was interviewing her. We had much intellectually stimulating conversation about breast implants, her experience with fake nails, and competing with men. Within minutes I felt comfortable enough expressing my undying love for my phone, caressing it ever-so-gently, and Jocelyn was quick to quote Golem from Lord of the Rings: Precioussss.

Nerdy reference. Check. Beer. Check. This was going to be good.



Read my interview with the artiste herself after the jump!

Above: Jocelyn’s studio in North Park.

T: Lovesick in my interpretation, seemed to be a very female, very manic and obsessive rollercoaster kind of thought process. The extremes we dwell on in relationships.

J: It has that idea of fantasizing… I know I tend to fantasize about things. I wanted that to be in your face. I wanted you to feel dizzy looking at it.

It started – I spray-painted “Smile” on my floor. I’m a happy person by nature, but I was just feeling really down at that period and I wanted to remind myself: “Smile, dammit.” Then I wrote it again on the floor. That’s how it started.

T: You’ve stated you want to get visceral reactions to your art. Meaning… less thought, less cerebral – more feeling, right? Is that how you create? Viscerally?

J: Yes and no. I know the final product – what I want on the canvas. When I’m painting, it loses it, because I’m so in it.

T: One thing really noticeable in your work is that it’s always changing. You don’t seem to be afraid to take something, even something you’ve had success with and completely do away with it and start somewhere else.

J: I think it’s healthy for any artist to do that. I find it unfortunate when an artist says “this style” and stops growing. With all these experimentations I grow more and more and more. Then again, I am trying to find my own voice.

T: It can sometimes be easier to find that “style” though – knowing what works for you and knowing what sells. Can’t pretend that’s not a motivator.

J: A lot of artists do brand themselves. Like that book… “The 12 million dollar Stuffed Shark”. That branding really works. I’m not above it… someday maybe I’ll be able to do that, but I want it to be genuine. And if I have to go on welfare first, I will.

*Note: I think like an hour passed here. Not sure. I have no segway to the next question.*

T: If you had the opportunity to be cryogenically frozen and sent 200 years into the future, would you?

J: Yeah, sure.

T: Really?

J: Wait, would I be normal? Would I have all my functions?

T: I can’t guarantee anything.

J: If I was just completely shit out of luck, I would.

T: So you’d have to be semi-suicidal?

J: Yes.

T: I think that means no, then.

J: Oh.

T: What’s the most interesting thing you have on you right now? I wanna take a picture of it, it’s part of my whole “thing”.

J: Oh um. My boobs? (See above for boobage)

*And then…*

Because we’re girls, we had to do one more thing before the interview concluded. Besides the obvious pillow fight, I mean. We played M.A.S.H. This has nothing to do with Hawkeye Pierce. This has to do with boys and dreams and imaginary procreation.

Suffice it to say that Jocelyn will someday be enjoying the view from her Fuschia apartment in Chernobyl with Sam Rockwell and their 11 children. Chernobyl may not sound like the ideal location, but it was preferable to “Snorkeltown”.

*So to conclude…*

If you missed Jocelyn’s Lovesick show, she’ll have some limited-edition prints showing at the upcoming Design as Art? group show at Basic on Nov. 30th. Check it out!

And beyond that, stay tuned. Jocelyn is always working, always evolving and never afraid. Kicking ass and taking names.

And now I’m name-dropping: Thanks, Jocelyn Duke!

- By: Terrifique