John Seubert |  There Were No Flowers Tonight | mixed media altar piece | 14.5 x 16.5 x 5.75 inches

Victor Armendariz shared with CGN that long time Chicago artist John Seubert died last week at his Lincoln Park home and studio. His artwork was created in cycles and ranged from paintings, to sculptures which he called his “constructions”, furniture in the form of “Crash Tables” as they were comprised of a “collision of parts”, jewelry, clocks, and lamps with mosaic shades from Lake Michigan beach glass. John variously signed his artwork under numerous guises depending on his mood including, Dear John, John John, John Grey, John Dolly and just, John. The term prolific, does not begin to describe his near obsessive desire to create art. His home was filled floor to ceiling with his artwork and entire rooms were dedicated to the display and ever-evolving arrangement of his collection.

To help support his atypical lifestyle, John worked various jobs including assistant to Chicago photographer Mark Hauser, (often claiming credit for urging Cindy Crawford to stop covering her mole in photo shoots), as a gallery preparator at the MCA and various art galleries over the years, as a handy-man, and builder’s assistant. At one point early in life packing all his belongings in his car and moving to Los Angeles to work in Hollywood, sometimes appearing as an extra in movie shoots. His lifestyle brought him to New York in the 80’s where he partied in circles including Andy Warhol (although Andy never spoke to him). And once at a party, Cher pointed to him and said, “You’ve got it!” in admiration of his be-spangled outfit.

In 2017 John began showing his artwork at Gallery VICTOR with longtime friend Victor Armendariz. His work was always showing somewhere in the gallery and was prominently featured in the gallery’s 5th Anniversary exhibit, Wunderkammer. John also worked as the gallery’s main preparator and was often seen at the gallery installing artworks, packing, serving wine at openings. John’s work was first shown at Ann Nathan’s Objects Gallery from the late 1980’s through the early 1990’s. In 2014 Jennifer Norback Fine Art presented, The Negro Clocks: 1985-2000 featuring a dozen of his handcrafted clocks focusing on racism and channeling his own life experiences with intolerance as a gay man.

John suffered a brain aneurism at the end of April which landed him in the hospital for an emergency brain surgery. He returned home in early June where he was anxious to return to making art, which he continued to do until his death. John leaves behind an extraordinary body of work with many pieces placed in collections worldwide.

Memorial Mass:

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 11am

Saint Mary of The Angels Catholic Church

1850 North Hermitage Ave.

Chicago, IL 60622

Memorial Reception:

Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 12:30-3pm

Gallery VICTOR

300 West Superior Street

Chicago, IL 60654