Maria Svarbova
about Maria Svarbova
Zlaté Moravce, Eslovaquia, 1988
Maria Svarbova (1988, Zlaté Moravce, Slovakia) is a contemporary fine-art photographer internationally recognized for her distinctive visual style. Although she studied restoration and archaeology, she began pursuing photography professionally in 2010 and quickly developed an individual artistic language.
Svarbova is best known for her series Swimming Pool, started in 2014, which features meticulously composed scenes set in public swimming pools built during the socialist era in Slovakia. These images, often featuring figures in striking compositions and pastel colors, evoke a dreamlike, almost cinematic atmosphere that feels both retro and futuristic.
Her work is characterized by carefully controlled symmetry, bold use of color, and an experimentation with space and atmosphere that departs from traditional portraiture. Human subjects often appear emotionally detached, serving as formal elements within her compositions and contributing to the striking visual tension of her images.
Svarbova has received prestigious awards such as the Hasselblad Masters Award and has been featured in major international publications including Vogue, Forbes, CNN, and The Guardian. Her photographs have been exhibited around the world in solo and group shows, and she has been commissioned for high-profile projects with major brands such as Apple.
Other works of the exposition POETICS OF THE GAZE
Xurxo Gómez-Chao
Magnolia sobre fondo rojo, 2018
Photography. Mineral pigments on Ilford Prestige paper 270 g
100 x 100 cm
Xurxo Gómez-Chao
Magnolia y calavera (Tempus fugit), 2018
Photography. Mineral pigments on Ilford Prestige paper 270 g
100 x 100 cm
Maria Svarbova 's works
