Jason Surdukowski '02 uses art to examine human rights issues Around campus, Jason Surdukowski '02 is best known as president of the Representative Assembly, Bates' student government. Yet his literary and artistic talents are fast bringing him greater recognition. In addition to writing poetry and art criticism for the student newspaper, Sudukowski is a playwright. A studio art and political science double major from Concord, N.H., Surdukowski's artistic expression often reflects his political concerns.
Art is a power, a bully-pulpit, a concentrated and strong discourse.
When he won a Humanity and Action Foundation Fellowship to study the Holocaust and human rights in Holland last summer, Surdukowski immediately knew that his required outreach project would be artistic. During fall semester, Surdukowski displayed in Chase Gallery the collection of paintings, sketches and collages he composed in response to human rights issues raised by his study and travel. But I wanted people to talk, to think critically about the implications of a government's actions. I wanted them to think about themselves. All Rights Reserved.