Artist statement
I will be showing work from my jewellery-based exploration of Europe's prehistory with work in precious metal and stone. Each piece starts on paper and the evolution of my designs involves drawings and images developed as prints and paintings, a selection of which will also accompany the jewellery cabinets. I look forward to meeting you.
Extended Bio
Bruce Swanson is an artist and jewellery maker based in Aberdeen. Following a career largely outside the world of art he began a full-time art practice in 2015 and completed a Masters degree at Grays School of Art, graduating with a Distinction, in 2018.
His practice centres on jewellery-making but also encompasses drawing, painting, silversmithing, printmaking and digital making techniques. His work is project based and is informed by research gained from explorations on foot; experiments in the workshop and studio, and by delving into archives. Experimenting with and developing new making techniques and learning ancient skills to include in his work are both aspects of his practice.
NEOS 2023 is a presentation of an ongoing project to explore prehistoric art from North West Europe. The art works shown include personal re-interpretations of ancient mythologies shown in the prehistoric images remaining on rock outcrops from across Europe. Some of these have emerged from recent expeditions to sites in Ireland, Bornholm in Denmark, and Tanumshede in Sweden. The flora and fauna encountered along the way also feature in in his work.
Bruce has held exhibitions of his work at venues across North East Scotland over recent years and is involved with the Aberdeen Artists Society, serving as a President (2018 – 2020) and as exhibition manager for the COLOURS Exhibition held at the Milton of Crathes Gallery in October 2023. He continues an active role on the AAS Council.
