Maria Svarbova
Maria Svarbova, born in 1988, is a Slovak photographer known for her striking visual language that blends minimalism with surreal atmosphere.
Although she originally studied restoration and archaeology, she began working in photography in 2010 and has since developed a unique approach that transforms public and architectural spaces into quiet, dreamlike scenes. Her compositions are known for their careful use of colour, symmetry, and stillness, with figures that often appear distant and emotionally restrained.
Svarbova draws inspiration from the architecture of the Socialist era, using it as a backdrop to explore ideas of isolation, memory, and order. Her best-known series, Swimming Pool, gained international attention and established her as a leading voice in contemporary photography.
Svarbova has received a number of prestigious accolades, including the Hasselblad Masters Award, and her work has attracted attention from publications including Vogue, Forbes, CNN and The Guardian. She was also named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, commissioned to create a billboard-sized project for Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan, and in 2019 was commissioned by Apple to create an exclusive photography series shot on iPhone.