Biography
Henry Swanson (b. 1993) is an oil painter living and working in Brooklyn.
Raised in Dallas, his practice draws from cartoons, comics, childhood memory, and the domestic imagery of the American family. He earned a BFA in Painting from Rhode Island School of Design in 2016, with a minor in English Literature. His work has been presented across the United States and internationally.
Practice
Swanson works across large-scale oil paintings and smaller mixed-media works, bringing collage and office-grade drawing materials into conversation with traditional painting. He develops his work intuitively and rarely from direct observation, allowing imagery to emerge as composition and color shift through the process.
In Thorns in the Manger, he paired classical technique with domestic textures to examine the cultural backdrop of his Texas upbringing: family life, religion, consumer culture, and the spaces where disorder is lived.
Education
2016
BFA, Painting
Rhode Island School of Design · Minor in English Literature
Residencies
2019
Vermont Studio Center
27 Oct–22 Nov 2019
2018
AtLarge BK Studio Residency Program
AtLarge BK Gallery · Brooklyn, NY · Jan–Feb 2018
2017
Mad Festive — Solo Exhibition / Residency Program
Goss-Michael Foundation Gallery · Dallas, TX · Jul–Aug 2017
Solo Exhibitions
2024
Low Hanging Fruit
Plan X Gallery · Milan, Italy · 24 Oct 2024
2023
In the Nosebleeds
Ross+Kramer Gallery · New York, NY · 22 Jun–27 Jul 2023
The Complete Box Set
Anthony Gallery @ Expo Chicago · Chicago, IL · 13–16 Apr 2023
2022
Thorns in the Manger
Anthony Gallery · Chicago, IL · 2 Jun–2 Jul 2022
2021
Ankle Biter
Wadström Tönnheim Gallery · Marbella, Spain · 11 Jul–19 Sep 2021
2019
It’s Bigger in Person
Massey Klein Gallery · New York, NY · 17 May–16 Jun 2019
2018
Snoopy Tattoo
Kime Contemporary · Indianapolis, IN · 6 Jul–4 Aug 2018
My Mom Can Drive If Your Mom Can Pick Up
Anna Zorina Gallery · New York, NY · 11 Jan–10 Feb 2018
2017
Mad Festive
Goss-Michael Foundation · Dallas, TX · 15 Jul–4 Aug 2017
L’OhNO Magasine Presents: Henry Swanson
Brake and Clutch Supply · Dallas, TX · 2017
2015
Cohesion
Zhen Music and Arts Institute · Dallas, TX · 2015
Group Exhibitions
2024
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Gallery Anthony · Chicago, IL · 24 May 2024
2023
Sole Perspective
Nike + Easy Otabor @ Art Basel Miami · Miami, FL · 8–10 Dec 2023
Freedom of Choice
TW Gallery · West Palm Beach, FL · 5 Dec 2023
Brick by Brick
Ross+Kramer Gallery · New York, NY · Nov 2023
Tom Sachs Group Show
Tom Sachs · Aug 2023
Goosebumps
Anthony Gallery · Chicago, IL · 26 Oct–18 Nov 2023
The View We Seek
Anthony Gallery · New York, NY · 8 Aug–17 Sep 2023
2022
What It Could Be
Anthony Gallery · Chicago, IL · 22 Sep–22 Oct 2022
Daniel Fleur, Henry Swanson & Matias di Carlo
Wadstrom Tonnheim Gallery @ VOLTA NY · New York, NY · 18–22 May 2022
70th Street Group Show
New York, NY · 4–12 Mar 2022
2021
The Privilege of Getting Together
Swivel Gallery · Brooklyn, NY · 15 Jul–15 Aug 2021
2020
Arena
East Projects · New York, NY · 12 Feb–8 Mar 2020
2019
GOSSAMER
At Large Gallery · Brooklyn, NY · 15 Jan–16 Feb 2019
2018
Locals Only
Deadbolt Studio · Dallas, TX · 20 Oct–20 Nov 2018
2015
New Texas Talent XXII (Juried exhibition)
Craighead Green Gallery · Dallas, TX · Jul–Aug 2015
Strokes
Expose Gallery · Providence, RI
2013
Soak It In
GoodFriend · Dallas, TX · Jun–Aug 2013