SWIDRAK, Peter

 

The Shipley-based artist and writer, Peter Swidrak, is the the founder and director of ‘The Heart of Art’, established in 2001, which designs interactive seminars to stimulate creativity, particularly among children in schools.

For over 20 years, Peter has organised and run art masterclasses for primary school teachers, as well as Creative Mindfulness days, both in the UK and in Europe, for people with an interest in exploring their own creativity.

He has also worked directly with children in schools in Britain and Europe, encouraging many thousands of children to use their imaginations through art related activity and focused projects – these have included the Poppy Project which ran for over four years and concurrent with the 100 years commemorations of WW1. During this time over 2,500 poppy pictures were made in primary schools throughout the UK and in Holland.

To encourage imagination, Peter has designed and produced over the years a range of aids to creativity, including Uncentiles, MyEvaTiles, Chalkbooks, In The Beginning – Treasure Hunt, Square Magic, and Imagination Shapes.

He said of Imagination Shapes:

Many children feel more comfortable expressing their world with pictures than with words or numbers and Imagination Shapes ensures that every child has that vital opportunity. Imagination Shapes are a bridge between words and numbers that any child can enjoy and be proud of.

Before launching his freelance career in the arts, Peter ran his own travel business and later served for eleven years as chair and team leader of the Young Enterprise board and volunteer team in West Yorkshire.

In 1984 Peter also raised money for charities, including Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Special Baby Care Unit and Manorlands Hospice at Oxenhope, from sales of his book Angels Wearing Thin Disguise.  The book was inspired by the heroes in his life, including boxer, Muhammed Ali, artist, Vincent Van Gogh, musician, Queen and actor, Jack Nicholson.

From an early age Peter has also created his own art work.  Largely self taught as an artist, he uses a range of art media, including acrylics, pencils, gouache, pastel and watercolour.  His subjects tend toward abstract or experimental, including landscape scenes.

 

 

Peter’s artwork has been shown at venues around the UK and in Europe, and locally has been exhibited at the Midland Hotel, Bradford, and at the gallery in Shipley Underground Market.  His work is featured on the SAA art community website and represented on Saatchi Art.