In the 1950s, Schawinsky began to focus primarily and eventually entirely on his artistic work, moving away from traditional painting with easel and brush to concentrate on the "Physical in Painting" (Schawinsky, 1969). This led to series such as "Faces," "City," and "Photo-Paintings," as well as "Dance" and "Track-Paintings." His art became increasingly characterized by a processual methodology and performative techniques of image creation. For instance, he created paintings by dancing on canvases laid on the floor or by driving over them with his car.

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In the 1960s, Schawinsky often spent extended periods in Europe. In 1966, he built a self-designed residence and studio in Oggebbio on Lake Maggiore in Italy. His works were exhibited in Germany, including a solo exhibition in 1961 at the Bauhaus Archive in Darmstadt, and in other European cities. In 1962, Schawinsky designed the set and costumes for the ballet "The Stone Flower" by Sergei Prokofiev, directed by Waclaw Orlikowsky at the Basel City Theater. His last major stage project, "Mondo Nova" (New World), which he conceived as "Spectodram II" and for which he sought collaborators into the 1970s, was never realized.