Anselmo Swan’s work explores suburban neighbourhoods and everyday objects as metaphors for experiences of existential longing and modern restlessness.

His current series, Home represents universal longings for belonging and acceptance, or in other words, the search for a true home. In his most recent prints and paintings, Swan continues this series by exploring additional themes that add to this narrative. He has revisited past still-life images in order to contrast the introspective nature of these works with the Home images. The shirts and everyday objects, which are meant to evoke feelings of restlessness and isolation are juxtaposed with images of rest and belonging. Swan’s goal is to unite all three themes – shirts, still-life images, and homes – to create a cohesive narrative that describe deep longings and their ultimate fulfillment.

Swan graduated from The Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design where he earned a degree in Fine Art with a focus on printmaking.

His recent series of prints were done using traditional methods of relief printmaking such as wood engravings and woodcuts. He acknowledges and celebrates the rich history of these media in his most recent series.

Swan has exhibited internationally in New York, Los Angeles, the UK, and Vancouver, Canada. Highlights include the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2018 and The Society of Wood Engravers’ Annual Exhibition 2024.