ABOUT TOM
Tom Sewell is a multi-media artist, designer, photographer, filmmaker, sculptor, environmental visionary; self-proclaimed "Master of Mischief, Maker of Dreams".
FROM MINNEAPOLIS TO MAUI
Tom Sewell was born in Minneapolis, where he first worked as a display man for Dayton's Department Store and was mentored by Joseph Wright. He later assisted Carl Wienhart, the director of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. He created the avant garde Bottega Gallery on Hennepin Avenue where he met his mentors Marcel Duchamp and Basil Langton.
In the 60's Tom moved to Venice California and began to explore art direction in television and film. In the 70's he began buying and restoring architecturally significant buildings making a major contribution to the restoration of Venice. After visiting the Soviet Union in the mid 80's (as one of the first citizen diplomats of that era), he became the publisher of "Main Magazine," a large format magazine that chronicled art, architecture and photography of the west coast.
In the 90's Sewell moved to Maui and has become one of Hawaii's preeminent and innovative artists. In 2006 Sewell was honored with a one-man show at the Schaefer International Gallery in the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. There he presented his highly acclaimed multi-media installation Enigma of the Mill: a tribute to the "magnificence of the mundane and the Art of Industry".
Sewell was presented "The Annual Award of Excellence" by the United Nations Society of Artists and Writers for his "Enigma of the Mill" and for his contribution to the Anti War/Peace Movement.
Tom lives in Haiku, Maui with his wife Michelle on the 17 acre Art Estate. He produces art in his studio with the help of interns and assistants. An avid swimmer, Sewell begins each day with a vigorous ocean swim.
MENTORS
In 1963 I created the Bottega Gallery in Minneapolis. One of the first shows was an exhibition of “Ready Made Art”. Although I had assumed Marcel Duchamp was dead, when I discovered he was alive and living in New York,I found his address and wrote to invite his participation in this event. What a surprise to get his wonderful response telling me he would enter HIMSELF in the show. It turned out he was coming that fall to the Walker Art Center for the opening of an exhibition of his work and he would call me when he arrived. Well, I subsequently received his call and drove my 1951 Daimler to the hotel for pick up then proudly escorting Duchamp and his wife Tenny to my Bottega Gallery.
We spent the day together. He was curious about the Show, inquiring if anything sold, and then noticed a stack of my own erotic collages. He sat and went thru them commenting that there sure were “a lot of c..u..n..t..s”. Then he told me my pieces were the freshest art work he had seen in years and asked if he could have one for himself and one to send to his pal, Max Ernst. He said they reminded him of Max’s early work. Marcel invited me to visit him in New York.
Don Sewell
My older brother was first mentor and splendid example of how to live a ‘Life of Art’. When Don was a student at St.Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota, Eleanor Roosevelt came to the school to give a talk and visit the campus. The administration decided to show her an example of the dorm rooms. Don’s room was chosen because of his excellent talent for design and decoration. He developed a successful career as an Interior Designer/ Home Stager and went on to become famous for his display work in the wall covering industry.
Always sartorially impeccable, Don was a combination of Noel Coward and Fred Astaire. Donald taught me about laughter and the art of giving entertaining dinner parties
LINKS
Basil Langton
Basil and I first met in the 1960's in Minneapolis when he visited and photographed me in my Bottega Art Gallery. We corresponded from that day on, no matter where in the world we happened to be. Our letters become a postal art form that we called male/mail art. Basil always encouraged me to make rt, to love people, to be non-judgmental and to be forgiving.
Whenever I struggled with a problem, was depressed or just a little down, his letters would help me through it. They would give me new ways to look at things. Whenever I had a success or had completed an art project, I would look forward to sharing it with Basil. I could always count on a splendid return letter, usually accompanied by a collage. Receiving letters from Basil was like having a correspondence with the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Man Ray and Duchamp all rolled into one.
Basil was a great mentor, friend, brother and spiritual guide. His humor, compassion, and pacifism inspired me. He was a gentleman, a lover, an actor, an artist and a scholar. I am grateful for my years of friendship. No one has had a more profound impact on my life. I will always see the world through eyes influenced by Basil.
William Vitarelli “Rubak”
I met Rubak 20 years ago when I was 50 and he was 80. It was his remarkable family home on five, lush acres in Haiku which first attracted me to him. He invited me to join his regular Wednesday night dinners. Sitting at his handmade table with his family and friends; we enjoyed wonderful meals made from freshly picked food from his organic garden.
After dinner discussions were spirited and often capped off with a game of Dictionary or Scrabble. Rubak Vitarelli was an educator, architect, artist, gardener, Quaker and pacifist. One of my favorite qualities was his complete acceptance of people. He loved everyone and never spoke ill of anyone. His attitude was relentlessly positive. Every full moon and new moon we gathered to drink coffee and pontificate to whomever joined these gatherings. Often coffee was followed by a stop at Border’s bookstore to peruse the latest literary magazines. Rubak made it a point to perpetuate joy. His life moto was “love and no bullshit.”
Marcell Duchamp