
BIOGRAPHY
Charlotte Swiden is a Swedish artist and designer living in Melbourne, Australia.
Her work has been greatly influenced by her Scandinavian heritage and love of nature.
Her art practise is expressive, reflecting on modern life and inner landscapes, using bold forms and rich colours.
Charlotte has a background in art and design and has spent the past twenty years working in graphic and product design both in Sweden and Australia. She moved to Australia in 2005 to undertake a BA in Communication Design at RMIT University where she focused on illustration and printmaking.
Her many years in design has given her an exceptional eye for form and function which translates into her art.
You can see more of her graphic design work at www.charlotteswiden.com.au
And yes, Swiden is her actual birth name.
FOUNDATIONS: EXHIBITION 2020
“ Charlotte’s disciplined approach to composition and colour, honed as a graphic designer, has transmuted into something softer and closer to nature with this series of abstract paintings that pulsate with motifs of plants, primitive figures and intimations of landscape, rendered in a muted earthen palette.
This return to painting for Charlotte – and her first solo art exhibition – marks a nod to her foundations, and an exciting moment in her career trajectory.
Sarah Kelk, Art Coordinator – Modern Times
“Foundations is about returning home and letting my inner voice resurface.
It’s a journal of human behaviour, my roots, new leaves and a longing for nature.”
Charlotte Swiden
ARTIST STATEMENT & ETHOS
When I started Swiden Design in 2010, I wanted to create a collection of beautiful, high-quality designs that you would keep forever.
A unique aesthetic, quality materials and an ethical means of production has always been at the forefront of this process.
I also feel that the most important ethics are the ones we practice outside of our work hours and I always try and live my life as close to my values as possible.
In 2015 I had my second child which led me to shift focus. I started collaging and painting again and I took my practice back to my foundations. Time became so precious, I needed to simplify and become more minimalistic in what I chose to do.
Once I started painting again it was all so clear and easy. It was like I had an 800 page novel waiting inside, burning to escape. Painting is just who I am at my very core.
Some of the ways in which I seek to limit my impact on mother earth include:
· My paintings are original and made with time, love and utter care to last a life time
· The frames for my paintings are made with local, sustainable timber and craftsmanship
· I only use local crafts people to help my work come to life
· The designs I’ve created are all limited editions or one of pieces
· I use vegetable based inks which don’t harm the environment
· The paper I use for my prints are 100% cotton rag acid-free paper which is designed to meet gallery and museum longevity requirements
· The wall hangings are printed onto linen, one of the most sustainable fabrics we have available
· Non-toxic, water based dyes are used on printed fabrics
This is all good, but I truly believe that we can all do a little bit better than what we are currently doing so I constantly challenge my practice to be more sustainable for the long term.
EXHIBITIONS / COLLABORATIONS
The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail 2021
Modern Times | Group Exhibition
Talismans, Rafts, Mementos 2020
Modern Times | Solo Exhibition
Foundations 2020
Swiden Coast x Linus Dean Rugs
Coast Rugs 2014
Frankie Book | A little bit crafty
Holding Candles 2014
Craft Victoria | Coco Flip x Swiden
Winter Fruits 2013
La Vida De Los Objectos | Barcelona
Tivolivat Wooden Objects 2013
A small space
Sprattelgubbar 2012—2013
The Design Files Open House
Tivolivat 2012
The Design Files Open House
Tivolivat 2011
In the Press
Talismans, Rafts, Mementos | Modern Times 2020
Charlotte Swiden | Modern Times 2020
Charlotte Swiden | The Design Chaser 2020
Swiden Design | Craft Vic 2014
Charlotte Swiden | Book A Little Bit Crafty 2014
Lukas prints | Inside Out 2014
Sprattelgubbar | Arquitectura & Diseno 2014
Coast | Frankie 2014
Coast | Homestyle Nz 2014
Sprattelgubbe | House Garden 2013
Coast Rugs | The Design Files 2014
Swiden x Linus Dean Rug | Green Magazine 2014
Coast | Herald Sun 2013
Charlotte Swiden | Femina Sweden 2013
Swiden Design | Daily Imprint 2011
Tivolivat | Inside Out 2011
Swiden Home | Bloesem 2011
Swiden Design | Bloesem 2011
Swiden Design | The Design Files 2011
Tivolivat | Herald Sun 2011
Swiden Design | The Design Sponge 2011
Charlotte Swiden Home | Herald Sun 2011
Swiden Design Home | The Design Sponge 2011
Swiden Design | Herald Sun 2011
Swiden Design | Herald Sun 2012
Tivolivat | Real Living 2011