November 2-30, 2018
Fire Arts proudly remembers artist/model John Young with an exhibition by various artists. With drawings, paintings and sculptures, this special exhibit celebrates John’s contribution to the art community.
For well over three decades John Young modeled for artists in the Michiana area. He was truly a Renaissance Man. In high school he was known as Tarzan, not just because he shared a likeness with the character, but because of the many animals he kept and his minimalist approach to clothing. He also served in the Army where he spent most of his deployment in Italy.
John’s life was filled with many noteworthy events and activities, including being detained by the FBI, miss-identified as a hitman, becoming a father, taking up welding and blacksmithing (mostly for fun), teaching Kung Fu and Tai Chi, raising exotic reptiles, carpentry, massage therapy, acupuncture, learning to read and write traditional Chinese characters, security work in Iraq, and of course nude modeling.
John could easily slide into a conversation with a neighbor from down the block, a patron at a restaurant, or a nun interested in taking Tai Chi classes. Neighborhood kids would come by and help him make a sword or learn Kung Fu. He was a big part of the South Bend community and couldn’t go anywhere without running into someone he knew or was willing to help out; going to the grocery store with him could easily turn into a three hour event ending in him at someone’s house to repair their roof.
John Michael Young unexpectedly passed away this past spring. He led an interesting life and it’s hard to separate the man from the myth, but those who knew him are better for it (myth or not). He is survived by his mother, five siblings, and four children.
