For him, the artistic process is ever changing. He relates it to the process a musician might go through, coming up with a simple riff, then building off that into something bigger. Take Iggy the Iguana for example, a 40 foot sculpture made of railroad spikes that is now the head mascot for the Museum of Science in Minnesota. A family friend had asked him to do a big piece for her home after Nick created a smaller tree for her. When Nick first saw the spikes, he immediately thought, “these look like scales!” Using his family iguana as a model, he slowly shaped his piece by starting from a back leg then working his way up to a body and head. Sometimes he’ll work on something for a while, and then leave it for years before coming back to it. Nick thinks that everyone has a creative process, and that it may be tough to find, but it is definitely a necessary trait to have. He says how he is graced that he can take the time to work on multiple projects without being rushed. Nick’s inspiration comes from the world around him.
Being the son of a psychologist and political science major, he has learned to look at the world through a wide lens. According to Nick, “All art should make you think.” He states how in a world of technology and the Internet, visual art is not as accepted as it once was. The influx of information is just too much and too fast for people. To appreciate art, one must see, think, and look again. Sadly, this is rare today due to short attention spans and shifting trends. He is amazed at the “intolerance of art viewers.” “Seeing art is like a Rorshach test, it is different for everyone.” So many people get caught up in what they think they see that they fail to realize what it could be. They want immediate results, and that is not always possible with art. Visual art is a language.
to short attention spans and shifting trends. He is amazed at the “intolerance of art viewers.” “Seeing art is like a Rorshach test, it is different for everyone.” So many people get caught up in what they think they see that they fail to realize what it could be. They want immediate results, and that is not always possible with art. Visual art is a language.
It conveys both ideas and emotions. His messages in his pieces are always statements on either society as a whole or himself, and usually involve elements of beauty and human interaction. Who and what are we? Those are the questions Mr. Swearer wants people to ponder when they see his work. The best example of this would be Nick’s Humans. They are numerous human figures, ranging in size, that represent both positive and negative characteristics of humanity. They are Nick’s way to investigate the world around him, as well as conduct personal investigation. Probably his most extensive and long project; it is also Swearer’s favorite. If one were to visit his home, they would find humans all over the property, in circles next to the lake, armies of mini-figures surrounding his pool table. Every figure represents a state of emotional being, or a physical action. Their nakedness represents the bare truths of the world. The humans are often used to discuss more-controversial topics, such as racism and classism. Some figures, such as “The Accuser” are distorted and harsh, looking as if they were evil beings rather than humans. Sometimes the humans have caused trouble for Nick, as some people find their bluntness hard to handle, yet these people fail to see what Nick is trying to show. The possibilities when searching the human mind are endless, and Nick is always hoping to learn more through his work. Nick simplifies his work in a well-worded statement, “I want to humanize my animals, and animalize my humans.” There is an undeniable emotional connection between humans and other animals, our basic instincts will always control us, no matter how hard we try.
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