California artist John Svenson was born in 1923 in Los Angeles. He graduated from Chaffey High School in 1942, and after three years overseas in the Air Force serving in Africa, Sicily and Italy, he returned home to Montclair. He studied sculpture at Claremont Graduate School under Albert Stewart, became his assistant, and later collaborated with him on many major projects until his mentor’s death in 1965. Stewart together with Paul Manship successfully presented John Svenson for election into the prestigious National Sculpture Society in which he later became a “Fellow” in 1973.
The art of Upland resident John Edward Svenson, a Fellow of the National Sculpture Society, ranges from 17-ton redwood sculptures and hotel fountains to portrait medallions of international heads of state. He has produced a wealth of work in stone, wood, bronze, and steel since the 1940’s and many of his pieces grace public buildings, including museums, schools, airports, hotels, banks, and parks across the U.S. and overseas. In 1997, he was awarded the Gold Medal and Maurice Hexter Prize at the NSS Members’ exhibition in New York City, and has twice received the American Institute of Architecture Award for Excellence in Sculpture, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award by the San Bernardino County Arts Council.
His work has appeared on seven magazine covers including House Beautiful and is listed in published works such as Artists/USA, The Source Book of Architectural Ornament, and Who’s Who in American Art. He represented the Western Fairs Association in Cairo, Egypt and Lausanne, Switzerland and is on the board of Alaska Indian Arts, Haines, Alaska. He is proud to present this collection of work, beautifully crafted by members of his family.