1ST UP is an exhibit mirroring memories branded on the soul, flash frozen on the mind. Facing the flames, the colors crackle into a melody of sounds, composing, singing, growing into a choir.
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Artist Bio
Robert Schoenecker is an artist from Milwaukee, Wis. Recently retired from a 25-year career on the Milwaukee Fire Department, where he served as a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT). His art gives voice to the unspoken trauma and tragedies that firefighters and other first responders often experience. Robert is one of many in his family called to serve and protect his community and country, which include police officers, federal agents, and a deputy sheriff deputy. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1993. In addition to art, Robert’s many interests include military history, living history, and music.
Artist Statement
Robert Schoenecker’s work focuses on the aftermath of trauma experienced by firefighters and other first responders who often witness unspeakable violence and tragedy. Required to provide emergency medical care in addition to firefighting, firefighters are often those arriving first to house fires, vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, overdoses, and murders, among other tragedies. By focusing on the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Robert’s art gives voice to first responders’ thoughts and feelings that often cannot be shared due to the stigma associated with it, even among members of their own crew or family. Using a mixed-media approach of acrylic paint, spray paint, and charcoal, his paintings reflect the disorientation and disassociation frequently experienced by those with PTSD. In addition, Robert’s installation of a “typical” trauma call, using his own firefighting gear and medical supplies, shows how the repetition of bearing witness to violence and tragedy over the course of a career profoundly affects a first responder’s view of the world.
Robert’s work is inspired in part by by Otto Dix, who served in World War I and created haunting artworks about impact of war on the human psyche, and Max Ernst, whose art not only illustrated his own experiences of World War I, but also his great interest in people affected by metal illness. Robert is also inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, who created vibrant works of art despite his own mental illness. Robert is one of many in his family called to serve and protect his community and country, which include police officers, federal agents, and a deputy sheriff deputy. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1993. In addition to art, Robert’s many interests include military history, living history, and music.
Through his art, Robert hopes to show audiences that while first responders are often considered heroes, the reality of the job can cause its own wounds and scars, some of which may never heal.
Robert Schoenecker is an artist from Milwaukee, Wis. Recently retired from a 25-year career on the Milwaukee Fire Department, where he served as a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT). His art gives voice to the unspoken trauma and tragedies that firefighters and other first responders often experience. Robert is one of many in his family called to serve and protect his community and country, which include police officers, federal agents, and a deputy sheriff deputy. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1993. In addition to art, Robert’s many interests include military history, living history, and music.
Artist Statement
Robert Schoenecker’s work focuses on the aftermath of trauma experienced by firefighters and other first responders who often witness unspeakable violence and tragedy. Required to provide emergency medical care in addition to firefighting, firefighters are often those arriving first to house fires, vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, overdoses, and murders, among other tragedies. By focusing on the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Robert’s art gives voice to first responders’ thoughts and feelings that often cannot be shared due to the stigma associated with it, even among members of their own crew or family. Using a mixed-media approach of acrylic paint, spray paint, and charcoal, his paintings reflect the disorientation and disassociation frequently experienced by those with PTSD. In addition, Robert’s installation of a “typical” trauma call, using his own firefighting gear and medical supplies, shows how the repetition of bearing witness to violence and tragedy over the course of a career profoundly affects a first responder’s view of the world.
Robert’s work is inspired in part by by Otto Dix, who served in World War I and created haunting artworks about impact of war on the human psyche, and Max Ernst, whose art not only illustrated his own experiences of World War I, but also his great interest in people affected by metal illness. Robert is also inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, who created vibrant works of art despite his own mental illness. Robert is one of many in his family called to serve and protect his community and country, which include police officers, federal agents, and a deputy sheriff deputy. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1993. In addition to art, Robert’s many interests include military history, living history, and music.
Through his art, Robert hopes to show audiences that while first responders are often considered heroes, the reality of the job can cause its own wounds and scars, some of which may never heal.
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Art Installation by Robert Shoenecker