ARTIST'S STATEMENT
As a child, I studied Dance while absorbing Hollywood musicals, film noire
and the mysteries of Rembrandt. As an adult, I've been seduced by the
sensuality, spontaneity and intellectual activity of working with Clay,
Colour and the essence of Romance.
I graduated from ECIAD in 1980, with an Honours Diploma in Ceramics. I am
inspired by the visual and spiritual impact of art from Ancient and
contemporary folkloric World Cultures, particularly Mexico, Greece, India,
Southeast Asia and Africa. I am forever inspired by Picasso, Modigliani,
Frida Kahlo, Beatrice Wood, Busby Berkeley, Ganesha and Melanie. I create to
the rhythms of Jazz, Blues, Tango, and Opera greats, particularly Frank
Sinatra, Cole Porter, Astor Piazola and Eartha Kitt. I have worked and
taught from my home-based studio for twenty years.
My desire to "Celebrate the Everyday Every Day" is expressed through my
colourful hand-built Pottery. Initially, the physical construction of
overlapping slabs of clay evoked figurative imagery. Eventually the
stream-of-consciousness drawings on my pots beckoned to become Sculptures,
which evolved into evocative and exotic Portrait Masks, double-sided "Duet"
busts and multi-faceted "Spirit Bottles" complete with poetic and musical
messages.
I now see my imagery as a marriage of my childhood and adult influences. The
Figure dominates my work. I feel compelled to create archetypal icons which
embrace the power of Ancient and contemporary World cultures, overlaid with
the spirit of song and dance. My work synthesizes and celebrates the
interconnectedness as well as the individuality of many cultures and eras. I
long to merge the power of Nefertiti with the spirit of Carmen Miranda.
Each stage of my work is a natural progression. Currently, the paintings on
my pottery are inspired by the images I create as sculptures; the sculptures
are often carrying my pots. I'm compelled to explore the scale and diversity of my vision by creating miniature to life size figurative sculptures
accompanied by luscious and luminous oil paintings informed by these
sculptures. Film, tap dancing and ball gowns entered the arena with my
recent installation, "My DeLovely Fever". more
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Suzy Birstein has gained recognition for her colourful tableware and
sculpture through exhibitions and commissions. Her work has had exposure at
the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, National Biennale of Ceramics in Trois
Rivieres Quebec, Whatcom County Museum in Washington State, the Kentucky
Gallery of Art and Design in Louisville, Kentucky, The Clay Studio of
Missoula, The Design Consortium in Cincinnati and Tajimi, Japan. Locally she
has had one-person exhibitions at the Surrey Art Gallery, Vancouver
Community Arts Council, the Gallery of BC Ceramics, The Seymour Art Gallery
as well as numerous group shows. She has participated in the annual 'Artists
in our Midst' open studios show since its inception in 1992, and
co-ordinated this popular event for twelve years. Public restaurant
commissions include Tomato Cafe ( 1993-Present), Lingo's Cyberbistro (
1997-2002) and Notte's Bon Ton Patisserie ( 1991 to Present), all of which
serve specialized food on her featured tableware as well as exhibit and sell
work continously. Suzy's tableware has been featured on TV and film,
including "Diane Clement Cooks" on BCTV, "Urban Rush", Global TV News, and
Hong Kong TVB, and "That's Clever", HGTV America.
Most recently, Suzy was honoured with the request to be the only artist and
Canadian included in "Everybody wins at the Oscars" gift baskets, given to
nominees in the top categories for 2008 Academy Awards! Some limited edition
"Motion Pitchers" were exhibited during "My DeLovely Fever" alongside nine
life
size Muses, one mythical animal and tap dance film! press release The few remaining "Motion Pitchers" are available through Jonathon's. more
Birstein's influences are strongly rooted in the indigenous cultures of
Spanish America, Indo-Asia, and Africa. She graduated from the Emily Carr
Institute of Art and Design with an honours diploma in ceramics and
primitive art. Since then she has expanded her iconography and techniques
through numerous workshops in clay, papier maché, painting, monotypes,
architectural mosaics and knitwear design. A deep love for world music, jazz
and opera has inspired her forms and colours. Her travel experiences have
further developed her ideas.
Birstein works and teaches from her garden studio in Kitsilano. She
participates in the artist-in-residence program in public and private
schools, and has been teaching at pArts Umbrella since 1990. Birstein's
work has been covered in several publications and catalogues including: the
Australian international magazine "Ceramics Art and Perception #63", the
cover of American Clay Times Magazine, Vol 11 #5, "500 Animals in Clay",
"Great Work - An Overview of Contemporary BC Artists", "Made of Clay -
Ceramics of British Columbia", "The Art of Splash", the Vancouver Sun,
Louisville, Kentucky's Courier Journal, Jewish Western Bulletin and Vanguard
Magazine. more
Her work is available at Jonathon's in London, Ontario and at Suzy's
Kitsilano Garden Studio, by appointment.
For more information regarding acquisitions, commissions, or current venues,
please refer to the CONTACT page. |
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