Ben Schwab
Artist Statement
The concepts of “here” and “there” have always been interesting to me—particularly the question of what causes us to connect with a space as our “here” or to perceive it as a detached, distant “there.” We are living in a time when technology allows us to see places that were once unseen, and to access moments and images from across the world without taking a step. We can concern ourselves with almost any place, at almost any time. The sheer volume of information at our fingertips can quickly lead to disorientation and fragmentation.
So what draws us to engage with certain places and disengage with others? How does being physically present in a space activate our senses and inform our perceptions differently than observing it from outside? As we attempt to bridge the gap between “here” and “there,” what context is lost?
These are the questions I’m exploring in both my process and the visual construction of my work. I have long been fascinated with the dynamics of cities, where you can simultaneously observe decay and vitality, expansion and contraction, and history and impermanence. Layering and mark-making allow me to explore these themes, and combining and manipulating images allows me to capture multiple views and introduce a sense of abstraction. The result is a place that is both familiar and unfamiliar, blurring the lines between here and there and creating an experience that is unique for each viewer.
Artist Bio
Ben Schwab grew up in the Midwest and currently lives and works in upstate New York. He earned his MFA in Painting from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Ben’s work has been featured in gallery and university exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada. His work is in private and public collections, including Brandywine Realty Trust, Courier Corporation, TMA Systems, and The Windsor Companies.
Ben has long been fascinated with the dynamics of cities, which allow him to simultaneously observe decay and vitality, expansion and contraction, and history and impermanence. He uses layering and mark-making to explore these themes, and by combining and manipulating images, he captures multiple views and introduces a sense of abstraction. The result is a place that is both familiar and unfamiliar, blurring the lines between “here” and “there” and creating an experience that is unique for each viewer.
Selected Exhibitions
Selected Solo/Two-Person Exhibitions
2018
Invisible Cities: Ben Schwab, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2017
Getting Here From There: Ben Schwab, Solo Exhibition, St. Joseph’s University Art Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A Place You’ve Never Been: Ben Schwab, CFEVA Alumni Solo Exhibition, The Center for Emerging Visual Artists-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Vantage Point: Ben Schwab + James Thatcher, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Main Gallery-Troy, New York
2016
In Praise Of Shadows: Ben Schwab, Wilson Art Gallery, Le Moyne College-Syracuse, New York
2010
Ben Schwab & Keith Sandman, PrattMWP Arts Institute, School of Art Gallery-Utica, New York
2009
Ben Schwab & Blake Shirley, Albany Center Gallery-Albany, New York
Graphite: Ben Schwab, Gross McCleaf Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ALB to NRT: Ben Schwab, University of Rochester, The Gallery at the Art & Music Library-Rochester, New York
2008
ALB to NRT: Ben Schwab, Siena College, Yates Gallery-Loudonville, New York
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018
Space Gallery, Denver Colorado
The Cityscape Show VIII, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2017
City In Motion: Valerio D’Ospina, Scott Noel and Ben Schwab, Stanek Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Small Works, Trestle Gallery-Brooklyn, New York, Curated by Bill Carroll
9th National Juried Exhibition, Prince Street Gallery-New York, New York, Juror Stuart Shils
The Cityscape Show VII, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2016
2016 Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region, The Hyde Collection-Glens Falls, NY, Juror Michael Oatman, Associate Professor, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute
The Cityscape Show VI, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2015
The Cityscape Show V, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2014
Industrial Beauty, George Billis Gallery-New York, New York
Between the Boroughs, George Billis Gallery-New York, New York
The Cityscape Show IV, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2013
New Directions ‘13, Barrett Art Center-Poughkeepsie, New York; Juror Susan Sayre Batton, Managing Director, Dia: Beacon, Beacon, New York
2012
The Cityscape Show II, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
2011
The Cityscape Show, George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
Drawing, Gross McCleaf Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2010
Considering the City, Work – Detroit Gallery-University of Michigan-Detroit, Michigan; Curator Charlie Michels
18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Bowery Gallery-New York, New York; Juror Rackstraw Downes
2009
Drawing From Perception VI, Wright State University-Dayton, Ohio; Juror Ruth Miller, New York Studio School
Collections
Brandywine Realty Trust-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Courier Corporation-North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
TMA Systems-Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Windsor Companies-Clifton Park, New York
Selected Fellowships, Grants and Awards
2015
Residency Fellowship, Vermont Studio Center
2011
Best In Show Award, Annual National Juried Exhibition, Academy of Fine Arts-Lynchburg, Virginia; Juror George Billis of George Billis Gallery, New York
2009
Juror’s Award, Drawing from Perception VI, Wright State University-Dayton, Ohio; Juror Ruth Miller
Strategic Opportunity Stipend (SOS Grant), New York Foundation for the Arts and The Arts Center of the Capital Region-Troy, New York
2007
Finalist: The William and Dorothy Yeck Award, 9th Annual Miami University Young Painters Competition 2008-Miami University, Heistand Gallery; Juror Peter Plagens
2005-2006
Career Development Program Fellowship, The Center for Emerging Visual Artists (formerly Creative Artist Network)-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2002-2005
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D. C.; During 2003-2004 studied and traveled abroad under the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship in Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands and France
Residencies
2015
Vermont Studio Center
Selected Lectures
2017
Gallery Talk, St. Joseph’s University Art Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gallery Talk, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Main Gallery-Troy, New York
2010
Slide Lecture, PrattMWP Arts Institute-Utica, New York
2008
Slide Lecture, Siena College-Loudonville, New York
Education
2005
Master of Fine Arts, Painting, Indiana University; Bloomington, Indiana- Studied under the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
2001
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, Missouri State University; Springfield, Missouri
Publications
2017
Times Union, ‘Konstruct’ Exhibit Displays Power of Assemblage-Albany, New York Newspaper, August, Preview Section
Times Union, Two Painters In Troy Exhibit Offer Study In Visual Contrast-Albany, New York Newspaper, March, Preview Section
2016
Times Union, Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region-Albany, New York; Newspaper, December, Arts Section
2010
Times Union, Artist Ben Schwab Finds Inspiration In Architecture-Albany, New York Newspaper, July, Arts Section
2007
Philadelphia Inquirer, Young Talents, Mature Display-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Newspaper, February, Arts Section
2006
Philadelphia Inquirer, Come on In, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Newspaper, July, Arts Section
2005
American Artist Magazine, National Magazine, October, p. 10
