Gio Swaby
My work revolves around an exploration of identity, more specifically, the intersections of Blackness and womanhood. I am interested in the ways in which this physical identity can serve as a positive force of connection and closeness, while also examining its imposed relationship to otherness.
Each piece I create continues to build upon an integral aspect of my practice: to contribute to the visibility of Blackness in the art world. At many points in our lives, Black women can live within a paradox of hypervisibility and yet still not feeling truly seen. I want my work to function as a love letter of sorts to Black women, to create space for us not only to be represented but to be celebrated.
Love Letter 5
Pretty Pretty 8
Pretty Pretty 7
New Growth 2
New Growth Second Chapter 2
Pretty Pretty 5
Love Letter 3
Pretty Pretty 9
My Hands Are Clean 1
Going Out Clothes 3
My Hands Are Clean 3
Another Side To Me 2
My Hands Are Clean 2
Going Out Clothes 1
My Hands Are Clean 4
Another Side To Me 1
Gio Swaby: Both Sides of the Sun
April 10, 2021 to June 5, 2021
Claire Oliver Gallery
View exhibit press release (pdf)
My work revolves around an exploration of identity, more specifically, the intersections of Blackness and womanhood. I am interested in the ways in which this physical identity can serve as a positive force of connection and closeness, while also examining its imposed relationship to otherness.
Four Now; Leonardo Benzant, Barbara Earl Thomas, Adebunmi Gbadebo & Gio Swaby
December 1, 2020 to January 23, 2021
Claire Oliver Gallery
View exhibit press release (pdf)
Four Now Is A Presentation of The Gallery’s Booth at Untitled Art Fair,
Telegraphing the Excitement of Miami Art Week To Claire Oliver’s Harlem Headquarters
With A Dynamic Program of Virtual Talks
Solo Exhibitions
- Rooted: An Exploration of Blackness and Womanhood –
The Current | Nassau, Bahamas – 2018 - We All Know Each Other – Unitt/Pitt Projects | Vancouver, BC – 2017
Selected Group Exhibitions
- Net Worth – UNITED CONTEMPORARY | Toronto, ON – 2020
- Transforming Spaces – The D’Auguilar Art Foundation | Nassau, Bahamas – 2019
- Die Textile: Stoffsuche – Kunsthaus Alte Mühle | Schmallenberg, Germany – 2018
- 5th Annual Art Competition – Central Bank of The Bahamas |
Nassau, Bahamas – 2018 - Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series (Vancouver Finals) – Gallery Jones |
Vancouver, BC – 2018 - Going Out Clothes – Cheeky Proletariat | Vancouver, BC – 2018
- Übersee: Cuba and The Bahamas – Halle 14 | Leipzip, Germany – 2017
- National Exhibition 8 – National Art Gallery of The Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas – 2016
- Graduate Exhibition – Emily Carr University of Art & Design | Vancouver, BC – 2016
- Nassau Calling – HilgerBROTKunsthalle | Vienna, Austria – 2015
- Black Girl in Unnatural Habitat – Abraham Rogatnick Gallery | Vancouver, BC – 2015
- 32nd Annual Art Competition – Central Bank of The Bahamas | Nassau, BahamasMap of the New Art – Giorgio Cini Foundation | Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice – 2015\National Exhibition 7 – National Art Gallery of The Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas – 2014
- Intersect: Junior Residency Artists’ Exhibition – Popopstudios ICVA | Nassau, Bahamas – 2013
- Celebrating 40 Years of Bahamian Independence – Bahamian Embassy | Beijing, China – 2013
- SINGLESEX – National Art Gallery of The Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas – 2013
- Harry C. Moore Library Mural Project – The College of The Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas -2012
- Independence Invitational – Central Bank of The Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas 29th Annual Art Competition – Central Bank of The Bahamas | Nassau, Bahamas -2012
- Transforming Spaces – The Hub | Nassau, Bahamas -2012
- Transforming Spaces – The Pro Gallery | Nassau, Bahamas; Bahamas International Film Festival | Nassau, Bahamas – 2011
Awards and Distinctions
- BC Arts Council Grant – Project Assistance for Visual Artists | 2020
- Emily Carr University – President’s Media Award for Best Art Installation | 2016
- Emily Carr University of Art & Design – Scholarship | 2015
- Charitable Arts Foundation – Tuition Grant | 2014
- Ministry of Education of The Bahamas – Tuition Grant | 2013
- Popopstudios ICVA – Junior Artist Residency Prize | 2013
- College of The Bahamas – Tuition Bursary | 2011
2021 Distinguished Artist Series
Claire Oliver of Claire Oliver Gallery interviews fiber artists Gio Swaby and Adebunmi Gbadebo for the James Renwick Alliance for Craft 2021 Distinguished Artist Series.
Museum & Institutional News
Diaspora, Darning and “Die Textile”: Giovanna Swaby takes her place in Germany
National Art Gallery of the Bahamas
July 24, 2018
Museum & Institutional News
The Translation Conversation: Migration and navigating blackness in Bahamian womanhood
National Art Gallery of the Bahamas
January 24, 2017