Stephanie Schwiederek is an American multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans photography, moving image, writing, and poetry. Raised in a motel in Pine Brook, New Jersey—a transient space marked by instability—her upbringing deeply informs her work. Through themes of family, belonging, identity, trauma, memory, and archive, Schwiederek explores the intersections of violence and intimacy, dysfunction and acceptance, resignation and resilience.
Her first independent documentary film, Leave Nothing Behind, was showcased at the New Jersey International Film Festival, marking a significant milestone in her career as an emerging artist. She is now working on publishing a book and has been invited to attend Chico Review 2025. Currently, Schwiederek’s practice explores the notions of relationships, family heritage and mythology. Her work blends elements of documentary, portraiture, performance, and constructed imagery, allowing her to investigate how personal narratives can inform collective understanding while navigating the tension between fact and fiction, reality and reconstruction.
Schwiederek earned her BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2018, where she was awarded the Brovero Photography Prize. She completed her MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2020. Her work has been exhibited both domestically and internationally.
Based in New Jersey, where she was born and raised, Schwiederek serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Photography Technology program at the County College of Morris.
For commissions, collaborations, or mentorships contact: stephanieschwiederek@gmail.com