52 Artists Magazine May 2020
AN ADVOCATE
FOR FORMALISM
The fascinating paradox manifested
in Swan’s subjects—objects of
immediate gratification existing in
a seemingly timeless atmosphere of
contemplation—is likely born of the
artist’s steadfast belief in the impor-
tance of formalism in art. The tenets
of formalism encompass the idea of
viewing and analyzing art, whether
abstract or representational, in terms
of its basic elements—color, line,
shape, texture and composition —
rather than its subject or content.
Swan recalls the doubts he grappled
with while painting his iconic visual
statement Blue Wrapper No. 2 (above):
“The painting being fairly large
[about 2x4 feet], I wasn’t sure if I was
going to be able to finish it. I wasn’t
happy with the way it was turning
out, but what I discovered is thatTOP
Blue Wrapper No. 2
oil on wood panel, 23x48ABOVE LEFT
Coff ee Package No. 2
graphite and white Conté
on toned paper, 15x22BOTTOM LEFT
Coff ee Package No. 3
graphite and white Conté
on toned paper, 15x22