My ongoing education about gender comparisons, inequality, and the ever shifting ground of feminist politics fuels my interest in this body of work. As I continue to push the “Double Bind” work forward, and continue to use the paper sewing patterns, I want to project a metaphorical weight within each painting’s implied narrative. - John Westmark
Painter John Westmark's female figures are composed of sewing patterns on canvas. Westmark obscures the visages of his subject, creating anonymous and powerful women. Drawing on his southern roots, folklore, and feminist philosophy and imagery Westmark's mixed media paintings embody strength and struggle. While acknowledging the usage of sewing patterns in what has historically been considered women's work, Westmark is able to create forms that are resolute warriors and agent[s] of revolt.
John Westmark’s work is exhibited widely and is held in numerous private and public collections including the Council on Foreign Relations, Washington DC; Weisman Art Foundation and Museum, Malibu, CA; Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Omaha, NE; Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, SC; the Kansas City Art Institute and the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies program. John is the recipient of two Individual Florida Artist Grants, a Pollock-Krasner grant and The Gibbes Museum Factor Prize for Southern Art, Charleston, SC.
John received an MFA from the University of Florida and a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute. John currently lives and works in Gainesville, Florida.
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John Westmark
On the Fold 25 January - 29 February 2024Using delicate paper sewing patterns applied directly to canvas Westmark creates strong female protagonists, often stoic martyrs, fantastical beings or the hapless everywoman. Westmark embellishes the garment patterns with custom...Read more -
Deck the Walls
Group Exhibition 11 December 2023 - 24 January 2024Each December/January Gilman Contemporary celebrates the diversity of the artists they bring to Sun Valley with their group exhibition, Deck the Walls. This dynamic group show teases upcoming feature exhibitions...Read more -
Deck The Walls
Exhibiting a diverse selection of new works from gallery artists 1 December 2022 - 17 January 2023Each December Gilman Contemporary celebrates the diversity of the artists they bring to Sun Valley with a dynamic group exhibition. This year the gallery teases future summer exhibitions including Carmen...Read more -
John Westmark
Gender Patterns 31 January - 29 February 2020John Westmark's abstracted figurative mixed media paintings, that use vintage sewing patterns to create anonymous figures. Westmark explores images of feminine strength while using non-traditional materials.Read more
