About the artist

Dmitri Swain graduated with a degree in the arts and sciences from Portland State University in 2011. Drawing upon nature, books, music, movies, and his family heritage for inspiration, he creates mixed media works of art primarily in sculpture. When not making art, Dmitri loves to spend time with his family, going on hikes in nature, playing guitar, watching movies, and reading the occasional good book on a rainy day. Dmitri resides in a mossy shingle-style beach house with his wife and daughter, along with their old dog Sheila on the upper left edge of the Oregon coast.

“My structural sculptures are a means for me to explore my fascination with buildings and their relationships with time, elements, and nature. I find buildings that have character far more satisfying to look at than pristine dwellings. I like to see the weathering of paint, wood, stone, concrete, brick, and mortar, as well as the power of nature to reclaim roofs with moss and plant life. Each piece is also populated with characters and creatures, perhaps new tenants who have taken up residence within the abandoned abodes in the absence of strictly human inhabitants. Or it could be that these individuals have lived there for some time, simply letting the property go a bit.

Utilizing salvaged cardboard and mixed media techniques, I try to create environmentally conscious work. Being aware of my impact on the environment around me is a large part of my process. At the heart of my artwork, beyond the materials themselves that I implement, is the focus and creation of my own mythos: concepts of nature, magical realism, character, and place—ultimately constructing a sculptural narrative that is hopefully captivating for the viewer.”