Marijo Swick is an artist, living in London, Ontario, whose work reflects her interest in the convergence of science, ethics, and spirituality. She weaves these themes into her art in various ways, from incorporating mechanical structures to genetic sequences and code snippets in her paintings. The outcome is a one-of-a-kind, thought-provoking collection that captivates viewers with imaginative themes and fascinating details. Recently, Marijo has been experimenting with a gritty steampunk-inspired style, creating unique art from discarded bits that others have lost value in, work that makes people think about things in a new or different way. Her goal is to create work that is both thought-provoking and playful engaging the viewer on both an intuitive and physical level, drawing them in with their imaginative themes and captivating details.
In 2023, her painting "Choice" was selected to be part of an important exhibition at WomanMade Gallery in Chicago, IL called “Roe 2.0", and was in the end purchased by gallery staff as gift to the retiring director of the gallery. Her painting “Apocalypse” placed in the top 10 by the curators of the Kelloggs International Art Competition this past summer in London, ON.
She has exhibited across Ontario, in British Columbia and in the U.S. In 2007 she created an installation for The Centre of Applied Genomics in Toronto and in 2011 a painting commissioned by the City of London for the International Epigenetics Conference “EpigeneticsEh!”.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I make interesting and unique art from discarded bits that others have lost value in, work that makes people think about things in a new or different way. Exploring mixed media in my artwork, I incorporate various layers using acrylic, coloured pencil, ink, pastel, rice paper, found objects, electronic components, traditional and digital drawing, and even text. When applicable, I also research genetic sequences to integrate into my pieces.
I often explore how belief and science intersect in my work. Specifically, I compare creation myths and genetics to encourage viewers to question their own beliefs and those of society. Lately, I've experimented with incorporating these ideas into a steampunk aesthetic. I weave these themes into my art in various ways, such as integrating mechanical structures into paintings and incorporating genetic sequences and code snippets. The result is a collection of thought-provoking and playful pieces that draw viewers in with imaginative themes and captivating details.
A key element of my work is how I integrate mechanical structures into my paintings, beginning with spine-like objects and eventually evolving to include containers for genetic sequences and code snippets. The focus of my work has shifted over time, now including concepts of mechanical replacement, evident in my depictions of spines, bee hives, and fantastical vessels like whaleships and time machines.
Another important aspect of my work is the use of diverse materials, from paper to found objects, bringing my pieces to life and allowing me to experiment with different textures and materials to create a more dynamic and engaging visual experience for the viewer. Additionally, by incorporating snippets of code, I aim to create a connection between the physical and digital worlds, exploring the impact of technology on our lives and our relationship to the world around us.
My goal is to create work that is both thought-provoking and playful. I want my art to engage the viewer on both an intuitive and physical level, drawing them in with their imaginative themes and captivating details. I am influenced by steampunk-inspired art and enjoy creating pieces that are imaginative and fun. Through my work, I aim to challenge the viewer to think about the world in a new or different way and to consider the impact of science, ethics, and spirituality on our lives.
