John Warren Ekstrom

Timeline

1929, November 9th –

Born in Chicago Illinois, the son of Ebenezer and Sybil Ekstrom. Ebenezer was doctor of family medicine. Sybil’s maiden name was Olson.

1947 –

Enrolls in Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois as encouraged by parents then changes major to painting. “I just saw the art students and how much fun they had and I was pretty good at that and thought,  ‘I’m in the wrong field’.”

1952 –

Marries Katina Bartsokas.

– Graduates with Bachelors degree in Fine Arts.

– Enrolls in the Air Force to contribute his service to the Korean War but is assigned to Investigative service state side.

1954 –

Leaves the Air Force after two years of service with an an honorable discharge and returns to the U of I on a GI Bill.

-Paints “New York School”, the title refers to Abstract Expressionism; this pioneer early work demonstrate his allegiance to the movement and marks the beginning of a lifelong exploration of formal abstraction.  Over the decades, his work gradually evolved into a graphite dominated style reminiscent of the Precisionist in the earlier half of the twentieth century.

1955 –

His first son of five, John Arthur Ekstrom is born.

1957 –

Father, John Ebenezer dies.

– Teaches foundation courses in art at U of I.

– Receives masters degree in fine arts.

1958 –

Second son, Kenneth Michael Ekstrom is born.

1960 –

Third son, Richard Martin Ekstrom is born.

1962 –

Moves to Europe with family and mentor, Lee Chesney to work on art.

1963 –

Fourth son, Timothy Warren Ekstrom is born.

1965 –

Returns back to Urbana, Illinois and buys a large house.

1966 –

Fifth and last son,  Christopher Paul Ekstrom is born.

1968 –

Around this time, his painting transitioned to mostly acrylic on canvas.  Organic loose forms of the past are replaced by geometric ruled shapes and patterns. colors retain there vibrance but become flat, solid and non graduating

1971-

Begins to experiment with layering of shapes and patterns.  Many of his works at this time  reveal his growing curiosity of borders and the interplay of shared borders creating tension and depth in composition.

1977-

Breaks his leg in car accident.  While incapacitated at home, begins work on his “Circle Series”; these works are the pioneers of Ekstrom’s change in style and medium to use of graphite replacing the colorful acrylic simple forms of the past to more layered cubist approach.

1976-78 –

John and Katina file for divorce on amicable terms.

Moves out to other side of town into a large hollow cinderblock building in a business district and transforms the space into an art studio.  It’s here where Ekstrom hones his signature style of graphite dominated formal abstraction.

– Mother, Sybil, dies.

1979 –

Resumes teaching art at Parkland College, Champaign Illinois.

1982 –

Graphite dominated style of layered patterns and shapes matures and for the next couple of decades, Ekstrom’s work reflects this style as he explores the interplay of line shape and form.  “Imposing Limitations,” is a technique Ekstrom utilized; through limiting style, shape, medium, etc., subtle nuances will reveal themselves exposing the essence of visual relationships. 

“What should be the first limitation!!”

               – John Ekstrom’s note/sketchbook

2001 –.

Retires from Parkland College.

2005 –

A return to form. Realistic imagery is introduced into his conceptual work for the first time in his career, albeit often heavily abstractedor in an exagerated form as can be seen in ekstrom’s “Statue Series.”

 2014 – 2020 –

These years were not kind to Ekstrom; age and mounting health problems, including heart disease, cracked ribs and hearing loss had taken a vtoll on the energy he needed to care for an ailing friend and maintain his large house/studio that had fallen into disrepair.

2020, April 22nd –

John Warren Ekstrom dies after contracting COVID-19.

John Warren Ekstrom

Timeline