John Swartwout

I was born in Wild Rose Wisconsin. Growing up in a rural area I spent hours exploring and building forts, which I feel had an impact on my creative development. Later, I went to two art schools, where I obtained a BFA and MFA. My work usually crosses boundaries in disciplines. I love parts of sculpture, painting, and film and I usually end up fusing the three together. Often, there's a good deal of plexi, mold making, custom cut masking, painting, and film aspects going on all at once. As far as film goes I lean more to being influenced by Bruce Naumen. Whereas, as far as form goes I was influenced by Tim Hawkinson.

BFA Viterbo University

MFA UW-Madison

"NORT", Solo Exhibit, Trout Museum of Art, Appleton, WI, Jan 12-May12 2024.
“NORT”, Solo Exhibit, The Crary Gallery, Warren, PA, Aug 4-Sept 4 2022
“Touch With Your Eyes”, 3 Artist Exhibit, CVA(Curator: Madison Hager), Wausau, WI, May 6-July 2, 2022. “Childhood Memories:Home”, 3 Artist Exhibit, Artistry/BCA(Curator: Rachel Daly, Bloomington, MN, 2023 TBA. “NORT”, Solo Exhibit, The Trout Museum of Art(Curator: Anne Weuve), Appleton, WI. 2023 TBA
“Misfits”, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, Nov-Dec, 2021
“The Earth We Share”, 7 Artist Exhibit, CVA(Curator: Madison Hager), Wausau, WI, Nov 8-Dec 23, 2021 “10x10x10”, Mighty Tieton Gallery(Jurors:Theresa Bembniste/Valerie Lazalier), Tieton, WA, Aug 7-Oct 10, 2021 “41st Annual Secura Fine Arts Exhibition”, The Trout Museum of Art, Appleton WI, June 5-Aug 15, 2021
“Tattoo”, National Museum of the American Sailor, Chicago IL, 2020-2023.
“No Longer and Not Yet”, Goethe Institut, Das Schaufenster(Juror:Hasaan Kirkland)Seattle, WA Nov 14-Dec12 2020 “Get the Message: Words and Images”, Arts Benicia(Juror:Dewitt Cheng), Benicia, CA, Nov 14-Dec31 2020
“Sails Unfurled:”, National Museum of the American Sailor, Chicago, IL, permanent exhibit, 2019.
“Midwest Biennial”, Dubuque Museum of Fine Art(Juro...