ARTIST STATEMENT
Whether a small room or a vast city, space is redefined from moment to moment. Inhabitants come and go, leaving their mark and altering their surroundings in a never-ending cycle. This is particularly evident in larger urban environments, where the populations, landscapes and economic conditions are constantly evolving.
I am fascinated not only with the evolution of spaces, but also with conveying that evolution on a two-dimensional surface. I’ve been particularly focused on the impact of time and change on a given space.
I begin with impressions of a space and apply a constructive process that adds a sense of past and future. Layering and mark-making are used to explore the dynamics of history and vitality, expansion and growth, and action and change. Combining and splicing source images allows for the representation of multiple views or subjects simultaneously. Manipulation, collage and varied states of completion create a sense of impermanence and further convey the passage of time.
With this process, I hope to convey spaces as the alive, active subjects they are.
Whether a small room or a vast city, space is redefined from moment to moment. Inhabitants come and go, leaving their mark and altering their surroundings in a never-ending cycle. This is particularly evident in larger urban environments, where the populations, landscapes and economic conditions are constantly evolving.
I am fascinated not only with the evolution of spaces, but also with conveying that evolution on a two-dimensional surface. I’ve been particularly focused on the impact of time and change on a given space.
I begin with impressions of a space and apply a constructive process that adds a sense of past and future. Layering and mark-making are used to explore the dynamics of history and vitality, expansion and growth, and action and change. Combining and splicing source images allows for the representation of multiple views or subjects simultaneously. Manipulation, collage and varied states of completion create a sense of impermanence and further convey the passage of time.
With this process, I hope to convey spaces as the alive, active subjects they are.
BIOGRAPHY
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 the permanent collections of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Barkan Companies, Sheraton (Denver), Hub50House, Brandywine Realty Trust, Courier Corporation, TMA Systems, The Windsor Companies, and Hancock Whitney Bank.
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.
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 the permanent collections of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Barkan Companies, Sheraton (Denver), Hub50House, Brandywine Realty Trust, Courier Corporation, TMA Systems, The Windsor Companies, and Hancock Whitney Bank.
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.
RESUME
Education
2001-2005 Master of Fine Arts, Painting Indiana University; Bloomington, Indiana- Studied under the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
1996-2001 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting Missouri State University; Springfield, Missouri
Selected Solo/Two-Person Exhibitions
2018 Ben Schwab: Invisible Cities, George Billis Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017 Ben Schwab: Alumni Solo Exhibition-The Center for Emerging Visual Artists
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TBD: James Thatcher & Ben Schwab-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
Neighborhood Connection: Ben Schwab-Saratoga Arts Center, Reception
Gallery-Saratoga Springs, New York
2011 YOU ARE HERE: Ben Schwab: New Work– The Arts Center of the Capital Region,
Foyer Gallery-Troy, New York
sub/urban: Scott Foster & Ben Schwab – Clement Gallery-Troy, New York
2010 Marjorie Derrick & Ben Schwab– Saratoga County Arts Council, The Arts Center Gallery-Saratoga Springs, New York
Ben Schwab & Keith Sandman – PrattMWP Arts Institute, School of Art Gallery
Utica, New York
Dana Clancy & Ben Schwab -Lake George Arts Project, Courthouse Gallery, Lake
George, 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
2006 Interior/Exterior: Ben Schwab and Steven Fishman- Benoliel Gallery at the
Center for Emerging Visual Artists; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2003 Occupied Space: Ben Schwab-Joseph Gierek Fine Art-Tulsa, Oklahoma
Selected Group Exhibitions
2017 Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region-The Hyde Collection-Glens Falls, NY, Juror Michael Oatman, Associate Professor, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute
2016 The Cityscape Show VI-George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
Space & Time-Lapham Gallery, Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council-GlensFalls, NY
30th Anniversary Invitational Exhibition-Saratoga Arts Center
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry
Art Gallery-Albany, New York
2015 Realism Vs Abstraction-Lapham Gallery, Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council
-Glens Falls, New York; Juror Elizabeth Dubben, Director of Exhibitions, Saratoga
Arts Center
Upstate Artists-Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville, New York; Juror John van Alstine
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
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry
Art Gallery-Albany, New York
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
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry Art Gallery-Albany, New York
The View from 915-Philadelphia Center for Architecture-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2011 The Cityscape Show-George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
Drawing-Gross McCleaf Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Annual National Juried Exhibition-Academy of Fine Arts-Lynchburg, Virginia;
Juror George Billis of George Billis Gallery, New York
2010 Dear Fleisher-Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry
Art Gallery-Albany, New York
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
Fellowships, Grants and Awards
2016 Saratoga Arts Community Arts Grant-Saratoga Arts-Saratoga Springs, New York
2015 Residency Fellowship-Vermont Studio Center
Sabbatical Leave Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
Juror’s Award-Realism Vs Abstraction-Lapham Gallery, Lower Adirondack
Regional Arts Council-Glens Falls, New York; Juror Elizabeth Dubben, Director of
Exhibitions, Saratoga Arts Center
2014 Professional Development Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
2012 Professional Development Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
2011 Best In Show Award-Annual National Juried Exhibition, Academy of Fine Arts-
Lynchburg, Virginia; Juror George Billis of George Billis Gallery, New York
Scholars & Artists Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
Professional Development Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
2010 Scholars & Artists Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
Residencies
2015 Vermont Studio Center
2001-2005 Master of Fine Arts, Painting Indiana University; Bloomington, Indiana- Studied under the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
1996-2001 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting Missouri State University; Springfield, Missouri
Selected Solo/Two-Person Exhibitions
2018 Ben Schwab: Invisible Cities, George Billis Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017 Ben Schwab: Alumni Solo Exhibition-The Center for Emerging Visual Artists
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TBD: James Thatcher & Ben Schwab-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
Neighborhood Connection: Ben Schwab-Saratoga Arts Center, Reception
Gallery-Saratoga Springs, New York
2011 YOU ARE HERE: Ben Schwab: New Work– The Arts Center of the Capital Region,
Foyer Gallery-Troy, New York
sub/urban: Scott Foster & Ben Schwab – Clement Gallery-Troy, New York
2010 Marjorie Derrick & Ben Schwab– Saratoga County Arts Council, The Arts Center Gallery-Saratoga Springs, New York
Ben Schwab & Keith Sandman – PrattMWP Arts Institute, School of Art Gallery
Utica, New York
Dana Clancy & Ben Schwab -Lake George Arts Project, Courthouse Gallery, Lake
George, 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
2006 Interior/Exterior: Ben Schwab and Steven Fishman- Benoliel Gallery at the
Center for Emerging Visual Artists; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2003 Occupied Space: Ben Schwab-Joseph Gierek Fine Art-Tulsa, Oklahoma
Selected Group Exhibitions
2017 Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region-The Hyde Collection-Glens Falls, NY, Juror Michael Oatman, Associate Professor, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute
2016 The Cityscape Show VI-George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
Space & Time-Lapham Gallery, Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council-GlensFalls, NY
30th Anniversary Invitational Exhibition-Saratoga Arts Center
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry
Art Gallery-Albany, New York
2015 Realism Vs Abstraction-Lapham Gallery, Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council
-Glens Falls, New York; Juror Elizabeth Dubben, Director of Exhibitions, Saratoga
Arts Center
Upstate Artists-Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville, New York; Juror John van Alstine
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
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry
Art Gallery-Albany, New York
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
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry Art Gallery-Albany, New York
The View from 915-Philadelphia Center for Architecture-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2011 The Cityscape Show-George Billis Gallery LA-Los Angeles, California
Drawing-Gross McCleaf Gallery-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Annual National Juried Exhibition-Academy of Fine Arts-Lynchburg, Virginia;
Juror George Billis of George Billis Gallery, New York
2010 Dear Fleisher-Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Faculty Exhibition: Center for Art & Design-The College of Saint Rose, Massry
Art Gallery-Albany, New York
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
Fellowships, Grants and Awards
2016 Saratoga Arts Community Arts Grant-Saratoga Arts-Saratoga Springs, New York
2015 Residency Fellowship-Vermont Studio Center
Sabbatical Leave Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
Juror’s Award-Realism Vs Abstraction-Lapham Gallery, Lower Adirondack
Regional Arts Council-Glens Falls, New York; Juror Elizabeth Dubben, Director of
Exhibitions, Saratoga Arts Center
2014 Professional Development Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
2012 Professional Development Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
2011 Best In Show Award-Annual National Juried Exhibition, Academy of Fine Arts-
Lynchburg, Virginia; Juror George Billis of George Billis Gallery, New York
Scholars & Artists Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
Professional Development Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
2010 Scholars & Artists Grant-The College of Saint Rose-Albany, New York
Residencies
2015 Vermont Studio Center