Art Chowder November | December 2016, Issue 6 | Page 27

John was born in Wendell Idaho, and then studied
art with
Herman Keys in Spokane, WA. He went on
to receive his undergraduate and Master of Fine Arts

degrees from the University of Idaho. Then under a
Ford Foundation scholarship he moved to New York
City and studied at the Art Student’s League with
Samuel E. Oppenheim and was mentored by Jack
Levine.
Although he has always known that he wanted to
be an artist, he believes he may have pursued film
if his life had turned out otherwise. He added that
he marvels at those that can create a story within a
sixty-second commercial.
John Thamm is particularly drawn to politically inspired works. He’s always had a deep interest in politics and the effect it has on the social scene. John
elaborated on some of the experiences that have
made a profound impact on him.

“At a time long ago, in the depression years,
there was a school of art called “social realism.”
My mentor, He