WorkPhotography

The curious stillness of the Swimming Pool: Enticing new work from Mária Švarbová

Celebrated Slovakian photographer Mária Švarbová has added to her beautiful portfolio with a new collection of photographs titled 'Swimming Pool'.

Written By:
All images courtesy of Mária Švarbová

All images courtesy of Mária Švarbová

The series marks a clear development from some of the earlier works we've featured.

Her signature style is known for having an eerie stillness and a self-conscious tautness, with just a touch of playful oddness to intrigue the viewer. These new swimming pool images almost echo the paintings of David Hockney in their reflective lines and use of colour. They are just the right amount of ordinary and just the right amount of unreal.

With degrees in art conservation, restoration and archaeology, she found herself instead drawn to the medium of photography in 2010. Mária’s early work, which was published under the name Aria Baro, focused on surrealist portraiture and with strong Art Nouveau themes and was a reflection on her background and interest in art history.

You can see more of her beautiful work on Behance and Instagram.

Woman in bright orange dress suspended against cream tiles above blue water in a minimalist swimming pool photograph by Mária Švarbová, with red text reading "Zákaz skákať" (no diving)
Child in red swimming costume and cap stands in shallow pool holding red balls aloft, facing white tiled wall with clocks and emergency exit sign
Five figures in swimwear stand by the edge of an indoor swimming pool with blue water, a potted plant, door and "Zákaz skákať" warning sign visible on the pale walls
Person in orange swimsuit and yellow swim cap crouching by a large window next to a potted plant with drooping green leaves
Swimmer in red swimsuit sitting on pool edge in minimalist white-tiled indoor swimming pool
Two swimmers in bright costumes sit at the edge of a turquoise pool beneath a pale green-tiled changing room, with a red "Zakaz Skakat" sign on the wall
Two figures with blonde and red hair swim in calm turquoise water in a minimalist indoor pool with pale green tiled walls and blue storage baskets
A figure in a red swimming costume and yellow cap crouches on a wide windowsill amongst potted green plants, with large windows and tiled walls behind them
Portrait of a woman with long reddish-brown hair wearing a red garment, looking over her shoulder against a white background
Share

Further Reading