Susan Mathews: Profile and Quilts

Susan Mathews: Profile and Quilts

Artist's Statement

My textile works are constructed by layering surfaces and techniques. I  find each and every step  engaging and  my desire is to create a rich surface which will draw the viewer in and hold their attention as they look further into the work. The work does not usually spring primarily from deep political or sociological meaning but  rather the forms, textures, lines, colour and visual impact of my subject matter lead  me to contemplate  deeper issues.

I am fascinated by the passage of time – the comparison of our relatively brief lives to the  billions of years that natural features have been in existence is awe-inspiring. Thoughts of the cataclysmic events  that created our world  over aeons puts the world and its' current  troubles and devastating events into some perspective. Visiting France and Spain, I have been struck by the passage of time and the history that the buildings there have experienced and absorbed ; evidence of prehistoric inhabitation  is truly wondrous   to consider. To scrutinise the finer details of things can be to journey to a  miraculous and magical plane - the seemingly ordinary  endowed with the secrets of time.  As there can be  layers of meaning in  everything we see, I like to think that my work reflects this through a layering of techniques.

I have exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally and have eight solo exhibitions to my credit. Since 2000 I have been a member of a small group of artists known as ZigZag, the other members being June Brown and Yvonne Voss. Together we have created four exhibitions which have travelled around Australia. I was awarded the inaugural Australian National Quilt Award in 2001 and since then have been a state representative for the award three times.

2010 - 1st Prize Art Quilts , Victorian Quilters Inc. Showcase Exhibition, Melbourne Exhibition  Centre, Melbourne, Victoria.
2010 - 1st Prize, Mixed Media, Buda Contemporary Textile Award,  Castlemaine, Victoria.
2009 – Selected for inclusion in the Wangaratta Textile Award.                                                                                              
2006 – Mettler Award (runner-up to Best of Show), Victorian Quilters Inc. Showcase Exhibition,  Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria.
2004 - 1st Prize, Best of Country, World Quilt Competition, USA.
2004 – Best of Show, Victorian Quilters Inc. Showcase Exhibition, Melbourne Exhibition Centre,  Melbourne, Victoria

Prev - Next >>