hidell brooks gallery is pleased to introduce john westmark to our collectors. raised in the south john got his undergraduate degree at the kansas city art institue and received his mfa from the university of florida. last year he won the 2012 factor prize for southern art. the factor prize acknowledges an artist whose work demonstrates the highest level of artistic achievement in any media while contributing to a new understanding of art in the south.
john westmark is a painter whose large-scale works incorporate store-bought paper sewing patterns collaged directly on the surface of the painting. populated by figures cut and shaped from the patterns, westmark’s paintings create mythical narratives, much like folklore cut from the fabric of human experience.
in 2011 john was the recipient of the coveted pollack-krasner grant. his women depicted on canvas are women of strength and courage. their faces are usually shrouded to indicate everywomen. the compositions hark back to traditional portraiture.
hidell brooks has just unpacked the crate of john westmark's paintings. definitely worth a visit to the gallery!