Artist Statement

​Mx. Chrissy Swain HND, spent twenty years working in the field of information technology before beginning to study for a BA (Hons) Fine Art, at the University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury. Since being diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, in 2016, Swain has demonstrated a high level of creativity, channelling emotion into working with a wide range of media, including digital photography, sound art and sculpture. Their work is informed by childhood experiences and hobbies, nature and wildlife. Swain is especially drawn to woodlands, the countryside, to the sea and rivers, as they feel that this supports mental health and aids adaptation to any setting. Swain is curious about everything that goes on around them.
 
There is something fun about unpredictable experimentation with clay, moulding with it, getting it kiln fired and glazing it; the outcome can be surprising but also beautiful.  Swain is influenced by the sculptors: Sebastian Stöhrer, Lynda Bloomfield, Serena Korda and Miquel Barceló, to name but a few.  Swain also admires work from the old masters like Auguste Rodin and Contantin Brâncuşi. As for sound work, Swain has been inspired by John Cage, Janet Cardiff and Lawrence Abu Hamdan (Turner Prize Winner).
 
Motivated by the challenge to do new things, always learning, always making mistakes and watching others, their abstract and semi-realistic artwork comes as a result of their impulsive responses to the world around them, whilst also building on skills previously gained. Swain desires the outcome of their artwork to be immersive, creating a mood, not passive but encouraging people to engage with it. There is a desire to get people to interact with their ceramics by looking inside, listening and touching; breaking the traditional taboos of not touching and the fear of breaking artwork. Swain is especially happy if visually impaired people touch their work.
 
In 2022 Swain exhibited ceramics in The Beaney Museum and Gallery, Canterbury, The Brewery Tap, Folkestone and in the foyer at UCA Canterbury. Swain is also an actor, who has performed on the stage in Canterbury and Stratford-upon-Avon. They will be performing in “Henry VI Rebellion” at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in May 2022 with Shakespeare Nation in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Canterbury Marlowe Theatre.