Articles

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

“HER STORY” – SUZIE GUTTERIDGE

“The plant never lapses into mere arid functionalism; it fashions and shapes according to logic and suitability, and with its primeval face compels everything to attain the highest artistic form”. (Blossfeldt: n.d.)

Inspired by passion, protection and preservation for the environment, I aspire to meet the above quote in my working practice. 

Artist Yoshihiro Suda says “a plant can only live by adapting itself to the environment when its seed is first planted…”.  By collecting, photographing and observing landscapes, research and making trial pieces, an idea evolves until eventually reaching a conclusion.

Trying where possible to upcycle or use found objects, I give previously discarded products of our society a new meaning and life. For example “Clandestine New Life”, created from upcycled paper cups collected here in Salisbury.  This is a small section of the piece commissioned by Museums Sheffield, exhibited at the Millennium Gallery from November 2010 – April 2011, where it involved approx 1800 cups.  In a very hard environment of steel, glass, and concrete, it was depicted as a delicate, organic piece spreading across a large area of glass.  Viewed from outside the building, it appeared to be a lace curtain.

The paper cup hanging pieces are a further development of the above piece.

Other exhibited work includes on-going ceramic work including vessels, wind chimes and “Barleyheads” as well as a new work consisting of a mass of sycamore like shapes fluttering down to their destination.

Using techniques and processes from traditional and new, developed during a BA in Textiles, Fashion and Fibre at Winchester School of Art, Southampton University (2005-2008), and my current working practice, I use predominately natural materials to illustrate the message/story to be told, recently clay and paper.

For commissions, further information and examples of my work, please contact me or visit my website at www.suziegutteridge.com

May 2011