The Swartzentruber Studio ©| all rights reserved
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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.
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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
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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.
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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." -Encart |
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.
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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.
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