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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, at
the time of these paintings I found my faith was 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 clothing 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." -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.
Research Assistance: John Mishler for his straightforward
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 Boards: 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 interesting
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 comic
books to pull from for the Pop-Mennonite comic book project.
Supplier: Christian Light Publications. Most of the
Mennonite illustrations used in this comic book 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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keywords: contemporary
artist, american painter, neo-pop surrealism,
culture critic, mennonite art, contemporary art
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