Trish Shwart
Artist Statement


In my paintings I create a luscious otherworld where I explore my conflicting feelings about my relationship with nature. I investigate the permeable boundaries between what I am seeing and what I feel as I experience being in nature. The paintings are a blend of memories, dreams, and real-world experiences.


My interest in landscape painting began with pushing a baby in a stroller every day to give the parents some time. As I walked, I became aware of the rich natural beauty in the urban environment. When I got back to the studio, I painted the places I had seen. Since the start of the pandemic, I have been painting en plein air and that time in nature comes back into the studio with me, energizing my work in unexpected ways.



Artist Bio

Trish Shwart’s recent work focuses on the connection she feels with the natural world, with an acknowledgement that she is part of a society that threatens it. Her work in interior architecture developed her interest in ‘place’ which continues to be central in her art practice. She is a graduate of the University of Manitoba (Gold Medal) and the Emily Carr College of Art (Helen Pitt Award). Shwart has shown her work across Canada and in Australia. She has also been actively involved in Victoria artist-run centres such as Open Space and Xchanges Gallery.



Trish's CV