SWOON creates large wood block carvings in her studio from her sketches and field drawings of folks she encounters in the city. She typically prints the image with ink on butcher paper in her print making process.

The artist will then create a wheat paste mixture of flour and water to adhere her prints onto public walls or surfaces.

historySWOON is a NYC based street artist WHO CREATES large-scale drawings using wheatpaste techniques and stencil work. Her works often feature people IN THEIR COMMUNITIES going about their DAILY routines.

SWOON attempts to capture the authenticity of a city by representing THE PEOPLE within THEIR COMMUNITIES.

S W O O N

ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

S p a c e

Line

Value

TEXTURE

AESTHETICSSwoon has a stylized approach in her work. Her lines are very gestural and are created by making revisiting lines. The artist uses design elements such as line and texture to support her style. These approaches make Swoon's work very recognizable.

Swoon's technique and style is an approach that reflects the raw and gritty feel of the streets. Her work strives to represent the unpolished and chaotic characteristics of a city...her city is New York!

Swoon built her stylized path by experimenting the urban roots of NYC. There is always something happening on the streets in New York City. NYC is often described as a living organism. It's alive!

Image of a Mexican girl after her Quincerria. The skulls symbolize the tragic amount of women who have disappeared in Mexico without any government investigation. SInce 1993 370 women have been killed and hundreds more have disappeared.

CRITICISMSTUDENT QUESTIONS

● What are some positive aspects of street art? Some negative aspects?

● After looking at some of SWOON's work, what do you think motivates her to create art?

● Discuss art accessibility: the idea of art for everyone in public places vs. art in private galleries.

STUDENT STUDIO PROJECT

Create a public piece in your community ● Go out in your community and practice field drawings. ● Draw people who are familiar or folks who are unfamiliar. Maybe it's your barista, the mailman, someone

having lunch in the park or the expression of the person who tripped off the bus. ● Choose your strongest drawing and recreate the image on large scale paper. Think of the

image doubling or tripling in size. Imagine your drawing mural size on a huge wall where everyone in your community can see your work. Think of where in your community your work would have a positive impact. Make a list of why it is important to display your work. Include a brief description about the character with the final image. Talk to business owners and members of your community about possibilities of where to display your work. Show them your drawings and discuss ideas. Think big! Why not?

● Networking and talking with people in your neighborhood is a great place to start. Be aware that networking with people in your community is a powerful resource that feeds future opportunities

RESOURCES and LINKS

art not crime - portland based artist collective encouraging public art

portland street art - flickr page with rad portland street art photos

public art murals program - resource for those interested in making legal public art

our city dreams - documentary that features Swoon and 4 other female NYC based artists

Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea (Hudson River, 2008) and the Miss Rockaway Armada (Mississippi River, 2006-2007)

Caledonia Dance Curry (SWOON)