About Roger
Roger Swainston
Roger Swainston is an Australian painter, naturalist and zoologist. He is one of the most recognized artists of the underwater world.
Roger was raised in the Western Australian outback surrounded by wildlife. The unique Australian flora and fauna fascinated and inspired him from an early age and he has drawn and painted it since childhood. Family camping trips to the remote south coast of WA sparked a lifelong fascination with the sea and in the late 70’s he travelled and worked around the north coast of Australia on fishing trawlers. The seemingly endless variety of undersea life he encountered in their nets encouraged him to undertake further studies and he graduated from the University of W.A. with a degree in Zoology in 1981.
Worked for several years
He then worked for several years in the fish department of the WA Museum. As a full time volunteer his first task was to help digitise the entire fish collection of the department, effctively an intensive educational tour of the fish fauna of WA waters. He contributed to several taxonomic papers and began creating illustrations for these and for others within the WA Museum. Roger also took part in a variety of scientific expeditions including; surveying the fish fauna of West Australia’s south coast with the WA Museum, the deepwater fauna off the northwest shelf with CSIRO and the reef fauna of Papua New Guinea with CRI.
During the following years he worked full time on his art, illustrating numerous guidebooks on the identification of fish and other marine life and working with scientific institutions around the world such as; the Smithsonian Institute, United Nations FAO, CSIRO and many other Museums and government departments concerned with the marine environment.
Worked for several years
He then worked for several years in the fish department of the WA Museum. As a full time volunteer his first task was to help digitise the entire fish collection of the department, effctively an intensive educational tour of the fish fauna of WA waters. He contributed to several taxonomic papers and began creating illustrations for these and for others within the WA Museum. Roger also took part in a variety of scientific expeditions including; surveying the fish fauna of West Australia’s south coast with the WA Museum, the deepwater fauna off the northwest shelf with CSIRO and the reef fauna of Papua New Guinea with CRI.
During the following years he worked full time on his art, illustrating numerous guidebooks on the identification of fish and other marine life and working with scientific institutions around the world such as; the Smithsonian Institute, United Nations FAO, CSIRO and many other Museums and government departments concerned with the marine environment.
Worked in the fish department of the WA Museum
In 1990 he moved to France and spent several years working from a studio in Paris, where he further diversified and developed his work. Illustrations from this period are held by “Musee National des Arts et Traditions Populaires” and Ministry of the Environment and for several years he was the official artist for the “Conseil Superieur de la Peche” in France. Whilst continuing to provide illustrations for a wide range of clients he began to work on methods of capturing the complexity of marine environments. Years of working mainly from underwater photographs of his subjects had fostered a desire to capture them directly from life.
A great deal of planning and testing of materials eventually led to a documentary being made on Roger’s project, to draw from life, underwater, a reef in the Red Sea. This was a resounding success and upon his return to Australia in 1996 he continued this work on marine environments. His focus became the integration of science and art in a manner, which fostered both an appreciation of the extraordinary beauty of the underwater world and an understanding of its diversity and complexity.
As a conservationist, Roger has contributed to a variety ecological projects and research, he works closely with conservation organizations to help protect our underwater world and increase our knowledge of marine life. In recent years Roger has continued his studies of the marine environment with large scale underwater drawings and surveys of reef sites around the world. He has also continued to push the limits of scientific illustration with life size portraits of individual fish and crustaceans, intimate studies of their surface, form and function. He presently lives and works in Fremantle Western Australia with his partner Catherine.
CV & Exhibitions
Roger has supported ecological projects and research, he works closely with conservation organizations to help protect fishery resources and increase knowledge of marine life.
Broadcasts
- 2018 :”Today Tonight” Chanel 7 Australia, 2018 Feature segment on drawing underwater on the Ningaloo Reef.
- 2017 : Drawn to Water ABC Australia, directed and written by Brendan Hutchens – VAM MEDIA DRAWN TO WATER follows marine artist Roger Swainston as he embarks on the fifteenth year of a twenty-year project studying the life of the Ningaloo Reef and its inhabitants, through art.
- 2015 FR3 France – TV Interview on Roger’s art
- 2014 TV Documentary CHANEL 7, Today, Tonight
- 2013 BBC WORLD – Interview – public radio
- 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES London – Interview
- 2011 – Art Show ABC on Roger’s underwater Art
- 2010 – ABC (Australia, State line) Roger’s book: SWAINSTON’S FISHES OF AUSTRALIA
- 2009 – Aquarius Production Documentary “Creature Keepers”
- 2007 – TV documentary THALASSA France – Vanuatu -Santo Island: scientific expedition with Roger invited by the Museum of Natural History, Paris and Pronatura Int
- 2006 – TV documentary CANAL+ (France) & SBS – CLIPPERTON ISLAND expedition with Roger mandated by the French government
- 2004 – TV documentary THALASSA (France) in Coral Bay
- 2002 – ABC (Australia, 7.30 Report) Roger working on the Ningaloo Reef
- 1997 – Arte/La Cinq (France) A 25 minute documentary on Roger’s creation of an underwater drawing of a reef in the Red Sea
- 1995 – FR3 (France) The illustrative work of Roger Swainston
- 1988 – ABC (Australia) Roger’s work on sharks with CSIRO
Exhibition Highlights
- 2023 : Sydney Contemporary Art Fair NSW, Tim Klingender Fine Art gallery
- 2022 : Sydney Contemporary Art Fair NSW, Tim Klingender Fine Art gallery
- 2020 : Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip, Perth WA – Permanent exhibition
- 2018 : Sydney Contemporary Art Fair NSW, Tim Klingender Fine Art gallery
- 2017 : Sydney Contemporary Art Fair NSW, Tim Klingender Fine Art gallery
- 2016 : Salon des Artistes Animaliers Bry Sur Marne – France
- 2015 – November 2015 to April 2016 Museum of Natural History Nantes, France solo
- 2013 – Earlywork Gallery, Fremantle, WA
- 2012 – Australian National Maritime Museum Sydney, NSW
- 2011 – CCAE Gallery, Darwin, NT – solo
- 2011 – Earlywork Gallery Fremantle, WA – solo
- 2010 – Earlywork Gallery Fremantle, WA – solo
- 2009/10 – Yallingup Gallery, WA
- 2007 – Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre, Hillarys WA – solo
- 2006 – Exmouth festival, WA
- 2005 – AnimaOffShore Gallery Fremantle WA – solo
- 2002 – Western Australian Maritime Museum
- 2001 – Gadfly Gallery Dalkeith, WA – solo
- 2001 – Western Australian Museum, Perth
- 2001 – Vanessa Wood Fine Art, Sydney, NSW
- 1999/2000 – Yallingup Gallery, WA
- 1999 – Salon de la Peche, Paris, France – solo
- 1998 – Musee Oceanographique, Monaco
- 1998 – North Shore Fine Art, Sydney – solo
- 1998 – His Majesty’s Hotel, Fremantle, WA – solo
- 1996 – Salon de la Peche, Paris France – solo
- 1995 – Gallery de la Mairie, Meaux, Franc – solo
- 1995/96 – International Marine Salon, Miami USA
Represented
- Australian National Archives, Australia
- Ministry of the Environment, Paris, France
- Museum des Arts et Traditions Populaires, Paris, France
- Foundation Gaz de France, Paris, France
- Jock Clough Marine Foundation, Perth, Australia
- Musée Océanique de Monaco, Monaco
- Western Australian Museum, Australia
- CSIRO, Australia
- Prince Albert II of Monaco, Monaco
- Education Department WA, Port Kennedy, Australia
- Fisheries Department WA, Perth, Australia
- Woodside petroleum, Australia
- Smithsonian Institute, USA
- FAO Rome, Italy
- Prince De Broglie – Deyrolle, France
- State Library of Western Australia
- Private collections Worldwide
Represented
- Australian National Archives, Australia
- Ministry of the Environment Paris, France
- Museum des Arts et Traditions Populaires, Paris; France
- Foundation Gaz de France
- Jock Clough Marine Foundation
- Musée Océanique de Monaco, Monaco
- Western Australian Museum, Australia
- CSIRO Australia
- Prince Albert II of Monaco
- Education Department WA, Port Kennedy, Australia
- Fisheries Department WA, Perth Australia
- Woodside petroleum, Australia
- Smithsonian Institute USA
- FAO Rome, Italy
- Prince De Broglie – Deyrolle, France
- State Library of Western Australia
- Private collections Worldwide
Books Illustrated
- Roger Swainston, Swainston’s Fishes of Australia – The Complete Illustrated Guide, Penguin Viking, 2010, 821 pages
- Barry Hutchins and Roger Swainston, THE SEA FISHES OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, Swainston Publishing, 1987. 180 pages
- Gerald R.Allen and Roger Swainston,THE MARINE FISHES OF NORTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Western Australia Museum,1988. 201 pages
- Gerald R Allen and Roger Swainston, THE REEF FISHES OF NORTHERN NEW GUINEA, Christensen Research Institute,1993. 132 pages
- Peter Last and John Stephens, SHARKS AND RAYS OF AUSTRALIA, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, 1994. 593 pages.
- Gerald R Allen,FIELD GUIDE TO THE FRESHWATER FISHES OF NEW GUINEA, Christensen Research Institute,1993.132 pages.
- Gerald R.Allen, F.A.O. SPECIES CATALOGUE Volume 6, Snappers of the World, FAO of the United Nations, 1985, 264 pages.
- Kent E.Carpenter and Gerald R.Allen, F.A.O. SPECIES CATALOGUE Volume 9, Emperor Fishes and Large Eyed Breams of the World, FAO of the United Nations,1989. 134pages.
- WOODSIDES GUIDE TO FISHING THE DAMPIER ARCHIPELAGO Volumes I – II – III, Woodside Offshore Petroleum Pty,1986 /89/92. 80 pages.
- V.Wadley, SQUID FROM THE NORTH-WEST SLOPE DEEPWATER TRAWL FISHERIES, Common.Scientific Ind.and Research Org.,1990. 30pp
- V. Wadley and M. Dunning, CEPHALOPODS OF COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE IN AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES, CSIRO 1998, 78pp
- Dr Gerald R.Allen – D.R Robertson, FISHES of the TROPICAL EASTERN PACIFIC, Uni. of Hawaii Press 1994 – 332pp.
- Dr G.R.Allen and R.C. Steene, FISHES OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF AND CORAL SEA, Crawford House Press,1990 – 508 pp.
- COASTAL FISHES OF OMAN, Crawford House Press, in press 1995
- R.T. Leighton and al, SHARKS AND RAYS, TIME-LIFE Books U.S.A. 1997, 288pp.
- M. Carwardine and al, WHALES AND DOLPHINS, TIME-LIFE Books U.S.A. 1998, 288pp
- D.Fauntain and G.Allen, FIELD GUIDE TO THE ANEMONE FISHES AND THEIR HOSTS, West. Australian Museum, 1997-300pp
- G.Allen, DAMSELFISHES OF THE WORLD, Mergus Press,1991, 200 pp..
- G.R.Allen and R.C. Steene, FISHES OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND, INDIAN OCEAN, Christmas Island Natural History Authority, 1988. 200 pp.
- J.C. Chantelat, LA PECHE – Guide Vert, Edition SOLAR – France -,1995. 365 pages.
- FISH AUSTRALIA, Penguin Books Australia,
- Barbra Blomberg, TASMANIAN SEAFOOD COOKING, Department of Sea Fisheries Tasmania,1988, 144 pages.
- CORAL REEFS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Environmental Protection Authority Bulletin 285,1987. 18pp.
- F.E.Wells and C.W.Bryce, SEASHELLS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Western Australia Museum,1985- 207pp.
- P.J. Kailola et al, AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES RESOURCES, Bureau of Resource Sciences Aust. 1993-422pp
- J.Ross editor, FISH AUSTRALIA, Penguin Books Australia Ltd – 1995 – 498pp.
- J.B.De Panafieu, PLANETE EAU DOUCE, Gallimard Jeunesse – 2003