Leo Sewell
Encyclopedia
Leo Sewell is an American "found object" artist. His assemblages of recycled material are in over 40 museums and in private collections worldwide.
Sewell was born in Annapolis, Maryland
and moved to Philadelphia in 1974. As a child in Annapolis, he "recalls the "excitement of tinkering" with stuff he discovered and recovered during walks in the woods and visits to the naval-community dump." (McCoy B1)
As an adult, he earned a B.A. in Business and a Masters in Art History at the University of Delaware
, writing his Masters thesis on the "Use of the Found Object in Dada and Surrealism." However, he never had formal studio training which places him in the Visionary art
category (Rosenberg E01).
Sewell's art follows naturalistic themes, and animals feature prominently in his creations. His collage-like sculpture is assembled from metal, wood, and plastic that he collects from trash, yard sales, and flea markets
(Alterio). For some commissions, he uses objects, often of sentimental value or with personal meaning, contributed by the patron who has commissioned the art.
Sewell has produced over 4,000 works over the last 50 years. His art has been seen on children's television shows including Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and Captain Noah, is in the permanent collections of 23 Ripley's Believe It or Not!
museums worldwide (O'Connell) and in museums such as the American Visionary Art Museum
, the Garbage Museum
, Stratford, CT, Shonandai Cultural Center, Fujisawa, Japan, Museo de Sera International, Madrid, Spain, and Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum
. His work is also collected by corporations including Nike, Inc and NBC
. (McCoy B1) Sewell has produced public art works for institutions including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and local state environmental protection offices (Grundahl).
Sewell is a member and co-founder of the artists' group, the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
.
Sewell was born in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
and moved to Philadelphia in 1974. As a child in Annapolis, he "recalls the "excitement of tinkering" with stuff he discovered and recovered during walks in the woods and visits to the naval-community dump." (McCoy B1)
As an adult, he earned a B.A. in Business and a Masters in Art History at the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
, writing his Masters thesis on the "Use of the Found Object in Dada and Surrealism." However, he never had formal studio training which places him in the Visionary art
Visionary art
Visionary art is art that purports to transcend the physical world and portray a wider vision of awareness including spiritual or mystical themes, or is based in such experiences.-Definition:...
category (Rosenberg E01).
Sewell's art follows naturalistic themes, and animals feature prominently in his creations. His collage-like sculpture is assembled from metal, wood, and plastic that he collects from trash, yard sales, and flea markets
Flea market
A flea market or swap meet is a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered. It may be indoors, such as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or it may be outdoors, such as in a field or under a tent...
(Alterio). For some commissions, he uses objects, often of sentimental value or with personal meaning, contributed by the patron who has commissioned the art.
Sewell has produced over 4,000 works over the last 50 years. His art has been seen on children's television shows including Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and Captain Noah, is in the permanent collections of 23 Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a franchise, founded by Robert Ripley, which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims...
museums worldwide (O'Connell) and in museums such as the American Visionary Art Museum
American Visionary Art Museum
The American Visionary Art Museum is an art museum located in the Federal Hill neighborhood at 800 Key Highway in Baltimore, Maryland and that specializes in the preservation and display of visionary art...
, the Garbage Museum
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority is a collective of area towns and cities for the single-source recycling processing and sale of recyclable waste. It oversees the operation of four of the state's six trash-to-energy plants. The plants are located in Hartford, Bridgeport, Wallingford and...
, Stratford, CT, Shonandai Cultural Center, Fujisawa, Japan, Museo de Sera International, Madrid, Spain, and Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum is a children's museum located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The museum focuses on teaching children through interactive exhibits and special events, mostly aimed at children seven years old and younger.-History:...
. His work is also collected by corporations including Nike, Inc and NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. (McCoy B1) Sewell has produced public art works for institutions including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and local state environmental protection offices (Grundahl).
Sewell is a member and co-founder of the artists' group, the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
The Philadelphia Dumpster Divers are a group of about 40 Philadelphia-area based artists, collectors and friends who work largely with found objects and recycled materials. They are notable for their extensive works and group efforts throughout a 17+ year history.-Members:*Harry Anderson*Betsy...
.