Swallow is now highly regarded internationally. Many of Swallow's earlier works reference the popular culture around him - Darth Vader of Star Wars, The Planet of the Apes, DJ culture -while more recently he has articulated aspects of his personal past.

 From the day he left art school Ricky Swallow has been making waves in the contemporary Australian and international art scenes.

 His idiosyncratic approach to his art has made Swallow a unique figure. He is not only a true craftsman, meticulously sculpting and creating his complex works, but has also established a visual language that is very much his own.

 Many of Swallow"s earlier works reference the popular culture around him - Darth Vader of Star Wars, The Planet of the Apes, DJ culture -while more recently he has articulated aspects of his personal past.

 Swallow"s creation of his own aesthetic was recognised early, when he was awarded the prestigious Contempora 5 Art Award in 1999, at the age of 25. More recently he was selected to represent Australia in the 2005 Venice Biennale.

 Swallow is now highly regarded internationally, with solo exhibitions in Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco,Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Oslo, Sydney, and his native Melbourne.

THIS VERY HOUR: THE WORK OF RICKY SWALLOW

by Justin Paton

Footnotes

Curriculum Vitae