Peter Swann

Peter Swann was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Surrey. He showed aptitude in art, woodwork, metalwork, and photography, though he pursued an academic path as a linguist, graduating from Durham University in 1990 with a degree in Spanish.

Soft Power

After training as a chef and then studying Engineering Product Design at South Bank University, Peter worked in engineering from 1998 to 2014. In 2001, he joined MERU, a charity designing special equipment for disabled children, where his most significant project was Bugzi — an electric wheelchair for pre-school children that won awards and enabled hundreds of children to gain mobility.

Ketchup

In 2014, seeking creative work after two decades of painting obsession, he left his administrative role to work from a home studio. He joined Richmond Art Society that year and became chairman three years later.

Alex Cherub

Peter works exclusively in egg tempera on raw linen, a medium he discovered early in his artistic career. He has transitioned from abstract work inspired by Paul Klee to portraits, figures, and animals, and has recently developed a passion for sculpture.

Jake