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.
Pretty Pretty 1
Pretty Pretty 3
PrettyPretty 2
Pretty Pretty 4
My Hands Are Clean 1
Going Out Clothes 3
Love Letter 1
My Hands Are Clean 3
Another Side To Me 2
Differenter 1
My Hands Are Clean 2
Going Out Clothes 1
Differenter 2
My Hands Are Clean 4
Another Side To Me 1
My Hands Are Clean 5
Love Letter 2
Another Side To Me 3
Another Side To Me 4
My Hands Are Clean 6
Gio Swaby: an introduction
March 13, 2021 to May 1, 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; Bisa Butler, Leonardo Benzant, Adebunmi Gbadebo & Gio Swaby
December 1, 2020 to January 16, 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
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