MODERN CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

"Art is a form of expression that knows no barriers. It's about contributing to a culture that is adding value, solving problems and cultivating community. That's why I am an artist."

JONARRA SWANSON

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Meet the Artist

Jonarra Swanson is an artist from Federal Way, WA - based in Seattle Washington. Her introduction into the arts was like anyone, as a child she was creating colorful landscapes on coloring book pages and homemade greeting cards for loved ones. She is a self taught artist whose work is a fusion of poetry, expressionism and figurativism. Although hip hop and portraiture was ingrained into her early work, her bold, expressive style features a mixture of writing or figures that tell a story. 

She is driven to capture the essence of humanity through the exploration of balancing two things: self-expression and community connection. From the very beginning of her career, she prioritized community through teaching youth and adult classes and collaborating with many artists on activating the city through the arts. She continues to make this the heart of her work through oil and acrylic paintings and murals throughout the city. To capture humanity through her “blue figures” holds true to her heart of connection. “When I paint these people in blue, I think it’s so beautiful that the skin color is the least important and the soul of the people really shine through”. 

As her career grows, so does a community who honors connection, love and growth.

If you haven't already, subscribe to her mailing list to stay up to date with where she will take NARR next!

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Why Blue Figures?

Jonarra’s most current work of “blue figures” are a commentary on the psychological and societal affects of erasure within our communities. Her paintings explore the emotional aftermath of finding self and creating connections after centuries of the destruction of cultures and languages that kept communities connected to their homeland. 

Jonarra is a black woman who is a product of the dynamics created by multigenerational erasure in the US. She looks at the dichotomy of interpersonal relationships and relationship with self, highlighting equitable ways of healing within marginalized communities. By not addressing race directly, she expresses her beliefs that the shared human experience is the foundation for our rights and opportunities to be equal. She allows the viewer to observe the fluid connection between all humans. “When I paint these people in blue, I think it’s so beautiful that the skin color is the least important and the soul of the people really shine through”. 

She believes that art has the power to transcend language and connect people from all walks of life. 

Today, Jonarra continues to create art that resonates with the soul, transporting viewers to the heart of resilience and beyond. She continues to host equitable events to highlight the accessibility of creativity during the healing process.