Seth Chwast
*SETH CHWAST
Born 1983 - OHIO
Seth Chwast, who was diagnosed with autism as a very
young child, lived for years in a world of roller coasters,
haunted houses, and classical music.
A dramatic change came in 2003, when at age 20 he took an
oil painting class at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Seth, who rarely speaks, began describing his world in paint. It turned out that Seth has an innate ability to mix color and create amazing works, reflecting his vision of his world and the world around him. He began painting regularly in a studio at the Monarch School for Children and Adolescents with Autism, where he graduated in 2005.
Seth paints daily, in a studio with other artists or in his home studio. A prolific artist, his paintings fill nearly every wall, in every room, of the home he shares with his mother, Debra.
Humming, dancing and smiling to his own muse as he creates, Seth is a vision of happiness and complete concentration. Because of his autism, he is unable to be anything but direct, honest, and authentic.
His brilliant canvasses reflect this, giving Seth a strong and clear visual voice. Painting is clearly his path to bliss, and the joy that permeates Seth’s art is contagious to those who view his work.
Seth’s paintings reveal a true gift for color and form, and through passionate discipline, he continues to evolve as an artist. Pausing occasionally to “grow his brain” as he works alongside his artist mentors, Seth paints with focused intensity.
Creating diverse imagery ranging from many-colored horses and spectacular landscapes with aurora skies and mysterious forests to rainforests, whales, fish and mythological animals, exotic birds, and iconic imagery of Manhattan, Seth finds new inspiration everywhere.
His early obsession with horses and his love of repetition has translated into immense color grids of horses, and an on-going series of self-studies provide further access to his world.
*reprinted with permission
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