Swoon in her studio. Source: New York Times

Caledonia Curry (b. 1977, New London, Connecticut), known as Swoon, is a pioneering figure in the field of street art. She is recognized as the first woman to achieve widespread acclaim in this traditionally male-dominated arena. Her artistic journey began in the vibrant streets of New York in 1999, coinciding with her studies at the Pratt Institute of Art. It was there that Curry developed her unique style using temporary paper portraits to adorn building facades with the aim of democratizing art and reclaiming public spaces within the urban landscape. Her art has the power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, inspiring all who encounter it, and can be found throughout the world.

Curry is now included in numerous top museum collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Brooklyn Museum, the Mima Museum in Brussels and the Tate in London.

Curry’s intricate wheat paste portraits serve not only as art but also as a reflection of her personal connections with people who have deeply touched her life. She creates these pieces by carving wood or linoleum blocks, which are printed by hand, or by cutting through multiple layers of paper at once. Curry appeared in the Banksy film Exit Through the Gift Shop, and is currently working on her own film. Her work is the subject of an internationally touring museum exhibition, and a monograph about her work was recently published by the Italian publisher Drago.