Bio
Genevieve Swifte is a contemporary artist working between drawing, photography and video. Informed by feminist aesthetics and contemporary glass theory, her PhD thesis Her Glass Skin spans five years of photographic practice to create pairs of images exploring themes such as light, mirroring, empathy and the visual representation of sound and touch. Emerging from the darkroom of an alternative school in the early 1990s, Swifte’s sensibilities are also informed by an undergraduate degree in drawing and printmaking, interdisciplinary collaborations and residencies in remote corners of the globe.
Supported by ArtsACT, Swifte recently undertook a period of creative research with the Department of the Council of the Alhambra and the Generalife, and a residency program, Silencio, at a 14th century convent in Andalusia. During this time she explored the behaviours of light in sacred architecture and forested environments. This period of creative development informs Swifte's contribution to the cross-disciplinary collaboration Ampleya with composer and pianist Rasa Daukus and mezzo soprano AJ America.
As an independent arts educator teaching observational and life drawing, Swifte's workshops welcome young artists from thirteen years of age, creative professionals, complete beginners and people with all levels of ability. Members of the community who have not had the opportunity to engage in formal art training are especially welcome to attend.
In 2023 Swifte will undertake an artist in residence project at Draw International, Caylus, France.
Her works are held in public collections in Australia and internationally.
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Education
2017
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Art and Design, Australian National University
2007
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours), School of Art and Design, Australian National University
Public Collections
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Upernavik Museum, Greenland
State Library of Queensland, Australia
Australian National University
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
Arts Educator
Eye to Hand Workshops and Masterclasses
National Archives of Australia
Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre, ACT
Canberra Potters Society, ACT
Australian National Botanic Gardens, ACT
DESIGN Canberra Festival, 2018
AIDS Action Council, 2018
Belconnen Arts Centre, ACT
Awards
2018
City Grants Program, City Renewal Authority, ACT Government
2016
Program Funding, ACT Arts Fund
2015
ACT Arts Fund, Out of Round Funding
2014
Canberra Arts Critics' Circle Award
2011
ACT Arts Fund, Out of Round Funding
2010
ABAF Donations, Australia Cultural Fund
ArtStart, Australia Council for the Arts
Program Funding, ACT Arts Fund
Janet Holmes à Court Artists’ Grant
Out of Round Funding, ACT Arts Fund
2009
Donovan Astronomical Trust
Select Exhibition History and Professional Background
2021
Blister, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, NSW
2019
Board of Directors, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Canberra ACT
Board of Directors, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Canberra ACT
Disability Advisory Council, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Canberra ACT
Exposures, live performance with Ampleya, Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra ACT
Ghost Echoes, live performance with Ampleya, Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra ACT
Yugen, live performance with Ampleya, Art Not Apart, New Acton, Canberra ACT
Piano Day, live performance with Ampleya, Ainslie Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT
Stillness, Still Life on Paper, Canberra Potters Gallery, ACT
Public art installation, Cygnus Atratus, with support from the ACT Government through the City Renewal Authority’s City Grants Program./;.
2018
Board of Directors, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Canberra ACT
Board of Directors, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Canberra ACT
Sensing Space: Embodied Perception of Geometry in Architecture workshop with Eva Culek for the Design Canberra Festival
Kalos, an interdisciplinary collaboration with composer and pianist Rasa Daukus and mezzo soprano AJ America
Resident Artist, Gorman Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT
Arts Educator, Eye to Hand, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres
2017
Creative development and research, Council of the Alhambra and the Generalife, Granada, Spain
Artist in residence, Silencio, Convent of Santa Clara, Belalcázar, Spain
Resident Artist, Gorman Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT
Arts Educator, Eye to Hand, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres
2016
Visual Arts Graduate Season, SoA Gallery, ANU School of Art, ACT
2016
Visual Arts Graduate Season, SoA Gallery, ANU School of Art, ACT
Sila, collaborative project of composition and live video projection with musical performance by Cheryl E. Leonard, Polar Soundscapes, David Brower Center, Berkeley, California
Exhibiting artist, SYNTHESIS, M. Contemporary, Woollahra, Sydney
Exhibiting artist, The Poetic Lens, with Relative Constructions, Carlton Project Space,
Chippendale Creative Arts Precinct, Sydney
Exhibiting artist, SYNTHESIS, M. Contemporary, Woollahra, Sydney
Exhibiting artist, The Poetic Lens, with Relative Constructions, Carlton Project Space,
Chippendale Creative Arts Precinct, Sydney
2015
Exhibiting artist, The Poetic Lens, with Relative Constructions, Tamworth Regional Gallery, Sydney
Exhibiting artist, Photoactivism, Photoaccess, Canberra
In collaboration with composer Cheryl E. Leonard, Soundings, School of Art Gallery, ANU, Canberra
Thresholds, collaborative project of composition and live video projection with musical performance by Cheryl E. Leonard, Outsound New Music Summit, San Francisco
Solo exhibition Trespass, Barometer Gallery, with Head On Photography Festival, Sydney
Exhibiting artist Light Years, Photoaccess, Canberra
2014
Solo exhibition Trespass, The Front, Lyneham, Canberra
Exhibiting artist, Quotidian, Elements of the Every Day: Water, CelerySpace, Berkeley, California.
A CaliforNoyers Production co-created with La Porte Peinte, Noyers, France
Exhibiting artist, The Poetic Lens, M16 Artspace, Griffith, Canberra
Speaker, Photography and Fictions, Conference hosted by the Queensland Center of Photography, Brisbane
Exhibiting artist, Altered States, Left Hand Gallery, Braidwood, NSW
2013
Artist in residence with Tracey Sarsfield, BigCi, Bilpin, Blue Mountains, NSW
Exhibiting artist, Sur Polar: Arte en Antarctida, Galeria de Arte Contemporaneo de Xalapa, Mexico
Assessment panel member, ArstACT
Exhibiting artist, Intensity of Purpose: 21 years of ANCA, Canberra Museum and Gallery
Exhibiting artist, 100%: Books by Canberra Artists, Watson Arts Center, Canberra
Exhibiting artist, Sur Polar: Arte en Antarctida, Galeria de Arte Contemporaneo de Xalapa, Mexico
Assessment panel member, ArstACT
Exhibiting artist, Intensity of Purpose: 21 years of ANCA, Canberra Museum and Gallery
Exhibiting artist, 100%: Books by Canberra Artists, Watson Arts Center, Canberra
2012
Exhibiting artist, Assisted Reproduction, SoA Gallery, ANU School of Art, Canberra
Sila, collaborative project of composition and live video projection with musical performance by Cheryl E. Leonard, San Francisco Electronic Music Festival
Speaker, IV Antarctic Art and Culture International Conference and Festival, Buenos Aries
Exhibiting artist, Sur Polar IV, Museo de Arte Tigre, Buenos Aries
Exhibiting artist, Transit of Venus, Photospace, The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
2011
Solo Exhibition, She Is Always Beautiful, Drawing and Photography from Northwest Greenland, Lowrise Projects, Melbourne
Speaker and exhibiting artist, Antarctica, Music, Sounds and Cultural Connections Festival and Conference,
The Australian National University School of Music, Canberra
Solo exhibition, Drawing and Photography from Northwest Greenland, Photospace,
The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Graduate in residence, Photomedia Workshop, The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Studio Artist, Australian National Capitol Artists Studios, Canberra
2010
Technical Officer, Book Studio, Printmedia & Drawing Workshop,
The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Artist in residence, Upernavik Artist's Retreat, Greenland
Public installation, 94th Moon, with Steven Holland, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Canberra
Exhibiting artist, Shifting Signs, with Nicci Haynes, ANCA Gallery, Canberra
Speaker, Focus on Artists’ Books V, conference, Artspace Mackay, QLD
Finalist, Libris Award, Artspace Mackay, QLD
Studio Artist, Australian National Capitol Artists Studios, Canberra
2009
Solo exhibition, Apogee/Perigee, Drawing on Astronomy, Canberra Contemporary Artspace, Manuka, Canberra
Exhibiting artist and Curator, Dark Space, Light Work, M16 Artspace, Canberra
Exhibiting artist and artist’s talk, Books to Hold and Let Go, Craft ACT, Canberra
Finalist, Phoenix Prize for Spiritual Art, SoA Gallery, Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Studio Artist, Australian National Capitol Artists Studios, Canberra
2008
Graduate in residence, Print media and Drawing Book Studio, The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Finalist, Acquisitive Artist’s Book Award, Next Art Gallery, Southern Cross University, NSW
Exhibiting artist, Make Way, M16 Artspace, Canberra
Finalist, Swan Hill Print and Drawing Acquisitive Awards, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, VIC
Finalist, Jed Art Awards, Shepparton Arts Festival, VIC
Finalist, Libris Awards, Australian Artists’ Book Prize Exhibition, Artspace Mackay, QLD
Finalist, Acquisitive Artist’s Book Award, Next Art Gallery, Southern Cross University, NSW
Exhibiting artist, Make Way, M16 Artspace, Canberra
Finalist, Swan Hill Print and Drawing Acquisitive Awards, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, VIC
Finalist, Jed Art Awards, Shepparton Arts Festival, VIC
Finalist, Libris Awards, Australian Artists’ Book Prize Exhibition, Artspace Mackay, QLD
2007
Exhibiting artist, Explorations ‘07, Gallery Gaffer, Sydney
Exhibiting artist, Water/Water, SoA Gallery, The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Exhibiting artist, Explorations ‘07, Gallery Gaffer, Sydney
Exhibiting artist, Water/Water, SoA Gallery, The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
2006
Solo Exhibition, Nephology, SoA Gallery, The Australian National University School of Art, Canberra
Finalist, Robert Jacks Drawing Prize, Bendigo Art Gallery, VIC
Finalist, Acquisitive Artist’s Book Award, Next Art Gallery, Southern Cross University, NSW
Finalist, Swan Hill Print and Drawing Acquisitive Awards, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, VIC
Exhibiting artist, Second International Biennial For The Artist’s Book, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
2000
Performance, Zhang Huan’s My Australia, The National Gallery of Australia, Canberra