A.D. Schwarz

b. 1955

graphic artist, architect, nature conservationist

Allan D. Schwarz in 1978

Selected Biographical Notes

Born as Allan David Schwarz in Johannesburg on 12^th September, 1955

1972

Matriculated in Johannesburg with distinctions in Industrial Arts

1973

Completed compulsory military training as a Commissioned Officer

1974

Entered School of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Received his first sculpture commission

1975

Studied etching under Giuseppe Cattaneo

1976

Published first 5 graphics - Worked in association with the architect Stan Field

1977

Commissioned to paint sets for Michelangelo and St. Lori adverts

Participated in Group Shows at Goodman Gallery and Lidchi Gallery, Johnnesburg

Studied at the International Academy of Plastic Arts, Salzburg, Austria

Extensive travels through Europe and North America

1978

Gallery 21, Johannesburg – 11^th April, 1978 - First solo show

2^nd prize in “Today’s Homes for Today’s People” competition in Roodepoort

Participated in group shows at Collectors Gallery, Sandton (“All creatures great and small”) and Gallery 21, Johannesburg (“Treasures of the Year”)

Participated in the “5^th International Graphics Biennale”, Frechen (work reproduced in catalogue)

Winner of a Council of Architecture Students Prize for Design, University of the Witwatersrand Winner of the A.S. Furner Prize for Design, University of the Witwatersrand

Awarded Certificate of Merit, University of the Witwatersrand

1979

Founded Graphic Unit, Dept. of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand

Included in “Contemporaries” Group Show of Transvaal Artists, Gallery International, Cape Town (April/May)

Included in “Winter ‘79” Group Show, Gallery 21 Johannesburg

Work acquired by The Haenggi Foundation, Johannesburg (PELMAMA PERMANENT ART COLLECTION)

Published first portfolio of original lithographs (“Five Frames”) in an edition of 50

Kunst Depot, Vienna, Austria – solo show (“Pictures at an Exhibition”) - October 1979

Works in association with architect Hans J. Schirmacher, Johannesburg

1980

He completed his degree in architecture at Wits, Johannesburg – B. Arch (WRand)

1981

Things Gallery, Johannesburg – solo show (“The Last Colonial Corporate Palm is living in State”) – 13^th July, 1981

Included in Republic Festival Art Exhibition 1981 Durban May/June, 1981

1982

Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg – solo show (“The Last Colonial Corporate Hotel and the First Beach Pavilion”) – 12^th June, 1982

1986

Cassirer Fine Arts, Johannesburg – solo show “Letters and Cards from Home” – June, 1986

Collaboration with SA composer David Hoenigsberg

University of the Witwatersrand, the Schmerenbeck Educational Centre and the Witwatersrand Technikon (architectural design)

The Star, Johannesburg – 10^th April, 1978, ill.

Die Beeld, Johannesburg – 21^st April, 1978 - review

The Citizen, Johannesburg – 3^rd May, 1978 - review

"Living Arts", Johannesburg - undated cat., ill.

Gallery 21, Johannesburg - exhibition catalogue - 11^th to 22nd April, 1978

Republic Festival Art Exhibition 1981 Durban - May/June, 1981, cat. 281/282, ill.

The Star, Johannesburg – 9^th July, 1981, ill.

The Citizen, Johannesburg – 18^th July, 1981 - review

“Architecture South Africa” – Jan/February 1982

“Habitat/Wine & Good Living” Johannesburg - no 49, 1982 pp 4+5, ill

“Art & Artists of South Africa” (Balkema, 1983) (Berman), p. 518

“Style”, Johannesburg – May 1985, ill.

Die Beeld, Johannesburg – 17^th June, 1986 - review

The Star, Johannesburg – 17^th June, 1986, ill.

Weekly Mail, Johannesburg – 20^th June, 1986, review by Marilyn Martin

Citizen, Johannesburg – 7^th July, 1986 - review

Sunday Star, Johannesburg – 7^th August, 1988 - review

Durban Art Gallery, Durban

Post-1987 activities

Soon after leaving South Africa, Allan D. Schwarz fundamentally changed directions

1988

Living in Boston, MA USA

Was Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.I.T. - While at MIT, Allan designed and taught a course called "Design with Nature"

1994

Founded the Mezimbite Forest Centre, Moçambique

1996 Moved to Moçambique

www.odemagazine.com/doc/68/summer-rayne-oakes-allan-schwarz/

Extract from this website's article relating to his architectural activities:

Allan Schwarz, South African by birth, is highly decorated in his professional career as an architect. He’s

worked on projects ranging from Harumi Island in Tokyo Bay to the Built Environment Initiative for the Aga

Khan Foundation to Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique to South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan.

His knowledge and skill set are both vast and deeply vertical, with interdisciplinary roles as architect,

designer, artist, tropical forest ecologist, sustainable development consultant and social entrepreneur, all of

which won him a fellowship with the prestigious organization for social entrepreneurs, Ashoka, in 2000.

(© Ode Magazine USA, Inc. and Ode Luxembourg 2009)

 

https://www.facebook.com/allan.schwarz

 

Still from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmKapybjYhU ©