"SOUL" ART EXHIBITION
SOUL is a curated exhibition by Kenji Swanson celebrating Black artistry, ancestry, and culture. Presented in honor of Black History Month, the exhibition brings together the work of six Black artists: Travion Payne, Dominique Birdsong, André Renay, PAPERBAG, Solomon Rousseau, and SECA Award recipient Angela Hennessy.
Through a range of artistic perspectives, SOUL explores identity, history, and the experiences that connect generations. The exhibition honors the legacies of the past while celebrating the voices shaping contemporary Black art and culture.
Through SOUL, Kenji continues his commitment to creating meaningful platforms for artists to share their stories, perspectives, and experiences.
"SOUL" Featured In "Function" Music Video
Oakland-based artists EaSWay and DJ SAY bring sound and vision together in their "Function" music video filmed within the walls of Kenji Swanson's curated exhibition, "Soul." Surrounded by dozens of works created by Black painters and visual artists, this video becomes a celebration of Black creativity, expression, and connection.
Kenji’s curatorial mission extends beyond the gallery wall. Through projects like this, he opens the space to artists across all disciplines; painters, musicians, performers, and beyond; offering a platform where art in all its forms can live, breathe, and move together.
"A LIFE WORTH LIVING" ART EXHIBITION
A Life Worth Living is a curated exhibition by Kenji Swanson featuring the work of two Black contemporary artists, Los Angeles-based Solo the Artist and Houston-based PAPERBAG. The exhibition celebrates life and the everyday blessings, experiences, and opportunities that are often overlooked.
Bringing together two distinct artistic perspectives, A Life Worth Living invites audiences to reflect on the beauty and significance of life’s journey. Through their work, the artists explore the moments and experiences that shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Through A Life Worth Living, Kenji sought to create an exhibition that leaves audiences with a renewed appreciation for the everyday moments that make life meaningful and truly worth living.
SOLO x PAPERBAG ART CONVERSATIONAL
Continuing Kenji's "A Life Worth Living" exhibition, this conversational video features a thought provoking conversation between Solo The Artist and Paperbag. Filmed in the art studio of artist Jimmy McCaffery, the two artists discuss the inspirations behind their collaborative works, share their journeys and stories as they delve into how life lessons, pivotal moments, and the significance of Black art has shaped their distinct artistic styles and creative expressions. This intimate dialogue offers a deeper understanding of the exhibition's themes, revealing the powerful messages woven into their art.
CHARITY ART AUCTION
At San Francisco’s Strike-Slip Gallery, Kenji collaborated with Bay Area nonprofit Us 4 Us to present a charity art auction bringing together nearly 200 artists from across the region. Each artist created an original work on a brown paper grocery bag, with the works exhibited and auctioned in support of local children and community initiatives.
The event brought together art, philanthropy, and community, creating an opportunity for artists to share their work while contributing to a greater cause. Through this collaboration, Kenji continued his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for artists and using art as a platform for connection and community impact.
Fort Gansevoort Gallery:
New York
During the summer of 2025, Kenji Swanson served as a Summer Associate at Fort Gansevoort Gallery in New York. Working across art sales, collections management, curatorial research, and exhibition preparation, he gained experience in the operations of a leading contemporary art gallery.
Throughout the summer, Kenji supported exhibitions, artist and collector relations, and day-to-day gallery operations. His time at Fort Gansevoort strengthened his understanding of the relationships between artists, galleries, collectors, and institutions while further shaping his approach to curatorial practice.
This short film captures moments from the summer and reflects Kenji’s continued commitment to connecting artists, audiences, and communities through art.
The Anderson Collection Stanford University: Art Exhibition
In collaboration with the Anderson Collection at Stanford University, Kenji curated an exhibition featuring the work of two Black contemporary artists: Houston-based Dom “PAPERBAG” Silva and Bay Area artist André Renay.
In a celebration of Black creativity, culture, and artistic expression, the exhibition brought contemporary Black voices into the walls of one of the country’s most distinguished collections of modern and contemporary American art. Through the work of PAPERBAG and André Renay, audiences were invited to experience two distinct artistic perspectives exploring identity, culture, and the Black experience.
By creating space for emerging Black artists within an important cultural institution, Kenji sought to expand opportunities for their work to be seen, experienced, and celebrated by new audiences. The exhibition reflects his continued commitment to championing artists and creating meaningful platforms for the next generation of contemporary voices.