Michael Swaney
Overview
Flower Bot, 2021
Michael Swaney (b. 1978, Kimberley, British Columbia) is an artist living and working in Barcelona, Spain. For nearly twenty years, Swaney has been crafting exuberant paintings, works on paper, ceramics and installations. Swaney’s visual universe is expansive and rich, exhibiting a childlike intensity paired with baroque detailing. For his subject matter, Swaney often refers to pop culture, YouTube and product branding motifs which he approaches with sincerity and humor. Swaney’s mosaic projects began as an artistic community intervention and have grown into an elaborate body of work. In his mosaics, Swaney embraces the opportunity to work with artists of various backgrounds, ages and abilities, all of which underscores the uniting potential of art.
Swaney graduated from Capilano University with a BFA in illustration and design in 2000 but considers himself a self-taught artist, aligning his practice with outsider art. Swaney has exhibited internationally since 2004, with solo shows at galleries in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Berlin, and Miami, among other cities.
Swaney graduated from Capilano University with a BFA in illustration and design in 2000 but considers himself a self-taught artist, aligning his practice with outsider art. Swaney has exhibited internationally since 2004, with solo shows at galleries in Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Berlin, and Miami, among other cities.
Works
Exhibitions
