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Artist Statement:
Ideally the artist is
employed by society at large.
The artist helps define
culture and culture makes us
who we are in whatever time
and place we are at. Of course
most of us are not living in
caves anymore but even then
art helped society function;
helped the hunter hunt, showed
people what to do. Art is
still showing people what to
do in a way. Whether it is
raising awareness by showing
what is going on, teaching by
example or simply exploring
ideas that give people ideas.
My art is about ideas as
much as anything else but it
is a surrealistic and
intuitive approach. So what is
presented isn't a literal
interpretation, it is more
like exploring the idea with
art. It is really another
reality. It mirrors our
reality and/or it is
influenced by our reality. I
can't help but be affected by
what is going on around me and
I am interested in the
transcendental as well.
Please visit my website,
www.markschwing1.com, for more
images....
Further Information
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Artist Exhibitions:
2011
2011 ART FOR THE HOLIDAYS,
Group Show / Detroit Artists
Market, Detroit MI
SUMMER SOLSTICE XI, Group Show
/ Sherry Washington Gallery,
Detroit MI
2011 GARDEN PARTY, Benefit /
Detroit Artists Market,
Detroit MI
6x6x2011: GLOBAL, Benefit /
Rochester Contemporary Art
Center, Rochester NY
OPEN CALL EXHIBITION, Group
Show / Whitdel Arts, Detroit
MI
...
Further Information
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Artist Galleries:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Reviews:
Coming Soon!
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Collections:
Coming Soon!
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Commissions:
Coming Soon!
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Mark Schwing Biography:
| Biographical information for Mark Schwing can be found below. The artist may choose what information to display. Sometimes the artist chooses not to display personal information to the general public. |
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Age
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53
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| Gender |
Male
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| Status |
Single
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| Children |
99
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| Religion |
Unitarian-Universalist |
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| Education |
Undergraduate Work |
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| Hobbies / Interests |
not provided |
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| Favorite Artistic Medium |
Painting Acrylic
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| Favorite Arthistory Movement |
Abstract Expressionism - (1940 - 1955)
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| Favorite Visual Artist |
Pablo Picasso
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| Favorite Work of Art |
NIGHTHAWKS by Edward Hopper, 1942
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| Biggest Artistic Inspiration |
Interaction |
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| Why Did You Become An Artist |
I liked art and I admired artists and their achievements. |
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| Your Personal Biography |
Biography
Mark Schwing
b. 1957 Ann Arbor MI
Mark Schwing early on showed an interest in art. As a student, artists such as Rosanne Vihos, Ruth Janes, Norman Stewart, Clinton Koupus, Ken Wade and Daria Dorosh among others were inspirational and supportive. He won a scholarship to attend Parsons School of Design in New York City and a scholarship for an Art Study Tour in Europe in 1975. He found New York City a great place to go to school because besides a great school there were plenty of Museums and Art Galleries, only dropping out because he made the 'mistake' of thinking he should devote more time painting in his studio on the Lower East Side. This didn't really work out as planned and he returned to Michigan (1981) and eventually Detroit (1983).
Mark Schwing has always found 'day-jobs' (grocery stores, retail, house-painter, etc.) interesting but since they were more a 'means to an end' it was hard for him to really be committed to them. However, he later realized much of the experience was invaluable and of course a necessary part of life.
He was introduced to Detroit's Art Scene via Detroit Focus Gallery,
showing beginning about 1983 and eventually joining. In 1986 he won a 'Creative Artist Program' grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts. However, (he does not explain) he declined the award perhaps because of a conflict of interest. He showed with artist Bob Downs separately but at the same time at Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids MI in 1989. He also showed at the Detroit Artists Market, Sixth Street Gallery (Royal Oak MI) and the Willis Gallery (Detroit) among others. He became involved with The Artist's Cooperative (A.C.,T.)-(1997-2006), Swann Gallery and Sherry Washington Gallery-(1996- ), all of Detroit and also showed elsewhere. The cooperative proved to be supportive and he enjoyed being with fellow artists.
An unfortunate fire in October most likely 1995 at the building his studio/apartment was located in the New Center Area Detroit eventually forced him to relocate closer to downtown and the Wayne State University area. At first he rented a room, sharing an apartment and in 2003 he got his own place in the same building. The area is improving for the arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit opened in 2006 and the Detroit Institute of Arts completed their renovation in 2007.
He still wonders how artists are supposed to make a decent living and maintain their freedom. He considers Universal Health Care an answer to many of society's problems. He continues to paint and draw showing mostly in and around the Detroit area.
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