I've tried many times to get rid of my mother's clothes since her Alzheimer's disease has progressed. Hospital gowns have taken the place of her favorite girly dresses and sparkling tops. I needed to let them go emotionally, so I imagined what Mom would do. I decided to cut them apart and made something new for my granddaughter, Grace. I'm sure Mom would appreciate the sentiment, as will Grace when she's old enough to understand it.
Tammy Swarek is an award-winning and internationally published multidisciplinary artist focusing on photography, painting, and sculpture who lives in El Dorado, Arkansas. Her work is deeply emotional, and is often inspired by her own life experiences, as well as those of her son with autism, and her mother with Alzheimer’s. Swarek is most known for her work featuring adoptable dogs from her local animal shelter. Her series “Shelter Pets Project” became an international hit in 2016 and published across the globe.
Awards 2021 PhotoPlace Gallery, Director's Award for 'Letting Go'
2021 7th Fine Art Photography Awards, Nominated series "Photography Under Quarantine"
2021 14th Annual International Color Awards Winner, Honorable Mention in Still Life, 'Choices'
2020 Leica, Flower Photo Competition, Finalist and Award of Excellence
2020 Ground Floor Artists Gallery, Honorable Mention, 'Frida Kahlo, Love Letters'
2019 The Portrait Masters Associate Certification
2018 Arkansas Life “Best of” Award
2017 Leica, Reflections Contest Winner
2017 Leica, Award of Excellence
2017 Smithsonian, Award Finalist
2017 and 2018 The Portrait Masters, Multiple Silver and Bronze Awards
2016 IPA, Honorable Mention, 'Deepest Part of Me'
2016 Vogue Italia, Best Of PhotoVogue for series 'Forgotten' and 'The Artist'
2016 ViewBug, Maternity Photo Contest Winner
2015, 2016, 2017 National Geographic YourShot Editors Choice
2014 Photopaths, Grand Champion
