Susan studied at the University of Guelph, York University and with a master printer in lithography at Open Studio in Toronto. She worked at Novak Graphics print studio and publisher of international and local artists until 1989. Susan and her partner Robert established Atelier GF and printed etchings and silkscreen prints until 2013. John Chamberlain, Malcolm Morley, Anne Meredith Barry, John Hartman, Alice Tiechert as well as the John Lennon and Miles Davis estates were among their artist clients. Susan first exhibited her own work in print shows in Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland. Unique mixed media works began in the early 2000’s when she began producing solo exhibits for Ferneyhough Contemporary (North Bay) and David Kaye Gallery (Toronto). Susan was awarded the Artist in Residence at the Women’s Art Association of Canada for 2018 – 2019 where she conducted printmaking workshops, gallery visits, a group print show and created a solo exhibit. Participation in annual group shows at Propeller Art Gallery and WAAC has followed. The World of Threads Festival 2024 included her latest paper constructs on canvas.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My career as a professional printmaker has moulded my artistic process. I have absorbed many influences working with artists over the years. For a decade or so ago my work concerned visual ideas about the physical environment and the stories of its inhabitants. Canada’s Boreal Region inspired my process-driven approach; layers of texture, colour, repeated pattern, paper-cuts and coarse mark-making culminate in an visual environment. I refer to this work as LANDMADE.
WILD TAPESTRY at David Kaye Gallery in 2017 was a series of works that visualized a dynamic tapestry woven of written phrases, drawings of animals, scientists and indigenous peoples. The inspiration was the writing of Dr. Margi Prideaux an independent academic in wildlife policy and law who has worked in international conservation processes for almost 30 years http://wildpolitics.co. In Global environment Governance, Civil Society and Wildlife: Birdsong After the Storm Dr. Prideaux discusses climate change, international governance and wildlife conservation involving local communities.
WHERE IS WILD in 2019 was a group of paper works using paper manipulation, assemblage, printmaking and pastel drawing. I attempted to imagine the animal or non-human position by asking, “What is non-human reality in a digitized world ?”
ARE WE EPICORMIC? in 2021 was a visual response to the catastrophic fires that raged through South Australia late 2019 into 2020. Photos and online communications with those facing the firestorm drove this group of paper constructs on canvas and wood. In the aftermath tiny spots of bright green leaf and floral growth dotted the blackened ash laden landscape. Regrowth begins but are we also epicormic ? More recent paper works employ assemblage, printmaking, pastels, paint and lean into more sculptural means of expression. Climate change and extreme weather events currently focus my efforts.
SUSAN FARQUHAR 