NEXT PAGEMAIN MENUPRICE INDEXCONTACT US

POP-MENNONITE
The Swartzentruber Studio ©| all rights reserved
mennonite art



mennonite art




mennonite art




mennonite art



mennonite art




mennonite art




mennonite art




mennonite art




mennonite art





mennonite art





ARTIST'S STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
The nurturing, yet turbulent, childhood years influence the spiritual and creative formation of one's life. Jean-Paul Sartre, in Nausea, noted that memory is a construction and not a retrieval. As an adult I have tested the essence of my worldview with those of my Old Order Mennonite mentors. Following my reaction against cultural isolationism and church authority, I have found many spiritual answers in nearby theological pastures. Mennonite family and friends will always hold a very special place in my heart, and in many regards I will always be Mennonite. It is my desire to encourage dialogue, not discord, with this exhibit. Mennonites depicted here are regarded as old order by the larger Mennonite conference, especially in regard to costume since nonconformity in attire has become a dead issue for many Mennonite groups.
TIMELINE:
[1517] Reformation starts. Martin Luther nails theses to cathedral door in Wittenberg, Germany
[1536] In Holland, the priest, Menno Simons became a fugitive for advocating believer's baptism and nonresistance
[1693] The Amish broke from Mennonites over excommunication and cultural separation issues
[1837] Swartzentruber's Mennonite ancestors sailed from Germany to America
[1971] The father of the artist (age 4) was excommunicated from the Mennonite church, but father and family continued to attend
[1983] At age 16, artist launched his art career, sketching caricatures at state fair
[1985] Graduated from Mennonite secondary school and left the community to study animation under Disney artist
[1990] Studied ethics at a Rosedale Bible College, complete undergraduate work at Grace College and graduate work at Vermont College of Norwich University while developing a studio practice
[2001] Started Pop-Mennonite with the support of the Indiana Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
· Ten oil paintings on canvas in hand-gilded frames from Florence, Italy. · Fourteen drawings sketched in bronze and raisen noir prisma and carbon ink. On the mat of each drawing is a symmetrical emblem of an eight-point star (as found Mennonite and Amish folk art) with Mickey Mouse ears (from popular culture).
· Each image has a kindred expression that manifests as a comic book. Old church bulletins were collaged into the pages from the archives of my father who faithfully collected bulletins each Sunday for almost forty years.
· The audio available in the gallery blends preaching and traditional music selections.
WHO ARE MENNONITES?
"A religious group, which originated in Switzerland and the Netherlands at the time of the Reformation. Some are more withdrawn from modern society than others. Most of the principal tenets of the Mennonites are found in a confession of faith promulgated at the Dordrecht, the Netherlands, in 1632. They were among the first to espouse separation of church and state, and to condemn slavery. They have traditionally obeyed the civil laws, but most refused to bear arms or to support violence in any from (Pacifism), to take judicial oaths, and to hold public office. The more conservative Mennonite groups are distinguished by plain living and simplicity of dress." "Mennonite Simons was the founding father. Educated for the priesthood and ordained in 1542, Menno Simons gradually moved to a radical position, until by 1537 he was preaching believer's baptism and nonresistance. As they did in Switzerland, Anabaptist in the Netherlands experienced years of persecution. Many fled persecution to the Rhineland, Netherlands, eastern Europe, and others to America." -Enca
rt
SPECIAL THANKS:
Grant: Indiana Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts
Support: My wife Christy whose support is unmeasurable. My parents, for their spiritual guidance
Inspiration:My Uncle, Robert Hostetter, with his written work and oral history research of the Tidewater, Virginia community. His work on Pieced Together: A Folk Opera from 1997, showed me that our Mennonite heritage was rich source material. And Velma Magill; A Mennonite artist, mentor and friend that gave up "Mennonite painting" for a contemporary studio practice.
Reseach Assistance: John Mishler for his streightforward answers to my questions.
Source Insitutions:Greenwood Mennonite Church, and Greenwood Mennonite School in Greenwood, Delaware. Rosedale Bible College, Irwin, Ohio.
Journalists:Vicki Sairs, Glenn Bergen and Paul Krahn, Andy Hughes, Jodi H. Beyeler, Joanne Gallardo, Ilse E. Friesen, Teresa Smith, Matthew McClure, Ross W. Muir, Lea-Ann Bigelow, and Robert Rhodes.
Sounding Board: John Roth, Ervin Beck, and Joe Springer for the supportive discussion back in March of 2005. Thanks Ervin for the professional curatorial services.
Speaking Venue: The Chicago Community Mennonite Church
Exhibits: Mennonite-Amish Museum-Goshen College, Select paintings were also shown at Lakeland Art Center, Indiana University/Purdue University-Ft.Wayne, Mathers Museum of World Cultures-Indiana University, Bloomington.
Discussion Groups: Mennodiscuss.com for the intersting discussion.
Photographer: Greg LeBarron
SOUNDTRACK CREDITS:
Words and Songs used on the Pop-Mennonite Soundtrack CD: Betty Troyer, Clayton Swartzentruber, David Showalter, David Swartzentruber, Daniel Swartzentruber, Dean Swartzentruber, Del Swartzentruber, Dorcus Miller, Duane & Mark Swartzentruber, Earl Swartzentruber, Eli Bontreger, Elmer Jantzi, Floyd Mast, Harvey Mast, Ivan Miller, Jay Biggs, Jeana Swartzentruber, John David Swartzentruber, Johnny Mills, John Mishler, Ken Miller, Kevin Yoder, Laben Swartzentruber, Lois Smoker, Luke Yoder, Merle Emblton, Millard Bender, Myron Augsburger, Paul Swartzentruber, Unknown ladies quartet, Walter Beachy, Willard Kauffman, Willard Mayer,
Greenwood Mennonite Church Tape Ministry:
Chris Zook ran the tape ministry since I was a boy.
COMICBOOK PROJECT CREDITS:
Donation: Bob Bieber donated a large collection of comicbooks to pull from for the Pop-Mennonite Comicbook project.
Supplier: Christian Light Publications. Most of the Mennonite illustrations used in this comicbook project were from Quarterlies, Story Mates, and Partners that I read as a child from this publisher. I also freelanced briefly for this Mennonite publishing company
Supplier:
John Swartzentruber (Father) collected church bulletins on a fairly regular bases since around 1970.
Inspiration:Artists Sara Robbins and Bonnie Staliker for introducing me to artists' books.