Capturing feeling
With Andrew Swarbrick’s art, one look isn’t enough. The North Canterbury artist melds genres in his chosen mastered medium of oil paint.
In the realm of realism, Andrew captures subjects, breathing life into scenes with an appreciation for everyday beauty. His adept use of oil paints turns the canvas into a window for viewers to connect with subtle details. Venturing into surrealism, Andrew crafts dreamlike compositions, challenging perceptions and prompting exploration of reality’s boundaries. In portraiture, he delves deep into the human condition. Symbolism adds layers to Andrew’s narratives, transcending the visual, while existential themes prompt contemplation on existence, freedom, and meaning.
Andrew has achieved a challenging task, breaking the ceiling of the international art world. Making an impact, his contributions have been acknowledged. He was awarded the lauded ‘Certificate of Artistic Achievement’ from the Luxembourg Art Prize in both 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, Andrew has graced the walls of the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London and exhibited at the esteemed Start Art Fair 2022, where his works have captured the attention of international art enthusiasts.
Back home, Andrew’s inaugural solo exhibition, Chronos, is a culmination of his 14 years of oil painting.
“Chronos embodies the essence of the passage of time, symbolising the force that ages, decays, and ushers in the cycle of life, growth, and creativity. It is a constant undercurrent that permeates my artworks, fuelled by a profound yearning for genuine creativity, freedom, and a fascination with the myriad facets of existence, creation, and mortality.”
You’ll find his exhibition at Pūmanawa Gallery, First Floor, Boy’s High Building, The Arts Centre from 19 to 25 February.