ARTIST STATEMENT
As a child I studied dance while absorbing Hollywood musicals, film noir and the mysteries of Rembrandt. As an adult, I’ve been seduced by the power of ancient and contemporary world cultures, and the sensual, spontaneous, inspiring activity of working with clay, colour and the essence of romance. There was a wonderful synchronicity when i was commissioned to create my colourful ceramics for the Oscar gift baskets presented to Academy Award Best Actors/Directors nominees.
My personal pantheon is a marriage of my childhood and adult influences, with the figure dominating my work. Impassioned by such diverse 20th century icons as Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Beatrice Wood, Busby Berkeley, Frank Sinatra and Tom Waits, I strive to merge the power of Nefertiti with the spirit of Carmen Miranda.
I explore the scale and diversity of my vision, by creating miniature to life size figurative sculptures accompanied by luscious and luminous oil paintings which expand upon the themes of my sculptures. Recently I have incorporated "found" columns into fictive mythological figures, some crowned with my vessels or adorned with textiles & bindis.
I live my life embodied by all the inspirations of my creative world: I tap dance and wear ball gowns as often as possible! I hope you enjoy video "My D'Lovely Fever" on Media Page.
RESUME
Education
2014 -1990 Master workshops: ceramics, painting, and monotypes: Rudi Autio, Viola
Frey, Peter Aspel, Lisa Birke, Jamie Evrard, Jeanne Krabbendam….
2014-2002 Vancouver Tap Dance Society: Training with Tap masters Jim Hibbard
Shelley Hunt, Mary Lou O'Brien, Troy MacLaughlin, Diane Walker, Jimmy Slyde…
2014-00 Travel/study - Greece, Turkey, Spain, France, Mexico, USA
2004 Stephen de Staebler workshop, Archie Bray Foundation, Montana
2003 Mentored by Miguel Linares, Mexico City creating giant papier mache Judas
1980 Emily Carr College of Art and Design (ECCAD), Vancouver BC
Honours Diploma, Ceramics
Teaching
2015-09 Biannual “MIA MUSE” workshop, Skopelos Foundation of the Arts, Greece
2014-90 ARTS UMBRELLA for Performing and Visual Arts, Van, BC
Clay and Multi-Media sculpture: ages 6-20yrs
2014-01 STUDIO Art Camps and Workshops: Continuous ceramics, papier mache,
painting workshops and demos for Children and Adults
2014-05 Artist Lectures and workshops: Local BC potters' guilds incl.
Saltspring Island, Fraser Valley, Williams Lake, The Kootenays...
2012-95 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE for Lower mainland of BC, including home
learners, public and private schools
1980-83 Station Arts Centre, White Rock, BC
Clay and multi-media sculpture for children 6-18
1982 First United Church/Carnegie Centre, downtown eastside Van. - initiated
ceramics program-handicapped pensioners, First Nations youth, Chinese
seniors.
Exhibits (Solo)
Sun. Dec 7th - Studio Sale/Open House - 11 til 8pm
Dec.2014-00 "Celebrate the Everyday Every Day" Annual Studio Exhibit/Sale
2014-2009 Invitational Artist for Greek Days Celebration, Van, BC
2012-1997 “Artists in our Midst” Vancouver’s annual Westside artist studio tour
2010 “Paintings Portray Sculpture”, Sanctuary, Unitarian Church of Van.
2008 “Motion Pitchers in London’s Window” Jonathon Bancroft Snell, London, Ont
2008 “My DeLovely Fever”, Seymour Art Gallery, Deep Cove, BC
2008 “Tap to the Muse” Film: dancer and producer. Seymour Art Gallery, youtube
2006 “Tete a Tete”, Silk Purse Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2004 “Message in a Bottle”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
2000 “Duets”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1998 “With a Song in My Heart”, Vancouver Community Arts Council
1995 “Pirates and Gypsy Queens”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1993 “Feast and Flower”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1990 “Birstein with Colour”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1983 “Painted Sculpture”, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
1980 “Suspended Animation”, Helen Pitt Gallery, Vancouver BC
Exhibits(Group)
2014 "Ronda Limpia", Ronda Spain
2014-13 "SSBC: Annual Sculpture Exhibit", VanDusen Gardens, Vancouver
2014 "Envisioning Women", Sidney & Gertrude Zack Gallery, Vancouver BC
2014-02 "Project Empty Bowl", Vancouver BC
2014 "Nice you have a hobby", Leigh Square Art Centre, Pt. Coquitlam
2014-12 "I Love Art" - Valentine exhibit, Arts Umbrella Staff, Ainsworth Gallery, Van
2014-08 Gallery Artists, Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London Ont.
2014-10 Tap dance Performances with “Heart and Soul” Dance company
2013 "RAWVancouver" Showcase 2, Gossip - Vancouver
2013 "The Best of Everything", Baron Gallery, Vancouver
2013-09 Biannual "Mia Muse", Skopart - Skopelos, Greece
2013 "Dish it up", Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver, BC
2013 "Fantastic Feast", Blackberry Gallery, Port Moody, BC
2013 "Emerging Painters", Stewart Stephenson Modern Art, Vancouver
2012 "Chacun, Chacune sa Divas" - Aubagne, France - Artistes Singuliere Festival
2012 "Chacun, Chacune Divas", Roquevaires, France - curated by Danielle Jacquie
2012 Round House - AIOM 20th Anniversary, Vancouver
2011 "Eclectic Elements" Ceramics, Artisan Square Public Gallery, Bowen Island, BC
2011 “Matter of Clay 3” Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London Ont
2011 “Mia Muse” exhibit, Skopelos Foundation of the Arts, Greece
2011-00 “ The Art of Splash”, Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver
2007-01 Empty Bowl”, Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby BC
2006-05 “Potsketch”, (invitational), Missoula, Montana
2006-05 “In the Palm”, (juried), Tajimi, Japan and Vancouver, BC
2006 Barry Lyon Collection, Gardiner Museum, Toronto Ont.
2005 “BC in a Box”, traveling to 6 galleries in BC
2005 “Transformations”, (juried), Burnaby Art Gallery, BC
2005 “Evolution: 80 Years of the Emily Carr Institute Alumni”, (invite)Van, BC
2004 “2004 International Cup”, (juried exhibit), Missoula, Montana
2004 “Orcas in the City”, Invitational Public Art Project for BC Lions Club, Van
2004 “Fathers and Daughters”, Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery, Vancouver BC
2002-01 “Bottled Spirits”, Kentucky Gallery of Arts and Design, (invite)Louisville
2002 “Artropolis - Self Portraits”, Vancouver BC
2001 “Masks”, Craft House Gallery, (iinvitational)Vancouver BC
1999 “Ninth National Biennial of Ceramics”, Trois Rivieres, Quebec
1999 “New Location, New Work”, (invitational) A Show of Hands, Toronto Ont.
1999/97 “Unexpected Collaborations”, Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver, BC
1998 “Clay 98 – Our Finest Work”, (juried)Vancouver Community Arts Council
1997 “Featuring BC Artists in BC”, Vancouver International Airport
1997 “The Figure – Different Views”, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond BC
1997 “The Canadian Collection at APEC ‘97”, Bank of Hong Kong, Vancouver
1997 “Great Work!!” (exhibit for book launch) Bank of Hong Kong, Vancouver
1995 “Northwest International Art Competition” Whatcom County Museum, WA
1995 “Teatime”, (invitational) Gallery Lynda Greenberg, Ottawa, Ont.
1994 “BC Artists in QC”, Barbara Silverberg Gallery, Montreal, Que.
1994 “64-94--Contemporary Decades”, Charles H. Scott Gallery, Vancouver BC
1994 “Gallery Artists”, Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, California
1993 “The Celebratory Bowl”, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo, Ontario
1993 “Made by Hand: The Pleasure of Making”, Canadian Craft Museum,Vancouver
BC (Juried exhibit, traveled in Canada for 2 years)
1993 “Majolika Majolica”, (juried) Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver BC
1993 “The Birthday Show”, Provenance Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
1992 “The 5th National Biennial of Ceramics”, Trois Rivieres, Quebec: juried/touring
1991 “Table of Honour” Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver BC
(Jury selected 8 finalists. Exhibit toured for 1 year)
1991 "All Boxed Up”, Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, Toronto Ont.
(3rd Prize Winner in this juried national exhibit)
1988/86 “Gallery Artists”, Atelier Gallery, Vancouver BC
1983 “Artropolis”, Vancouver BC
Commissions and Collections
2014-83 Private collections, locally and internationally
2014 "Tap Grace Awards" - Vancouver Tap Dance Society - artists, patrons, volunteers
2014-91 Vancouver Restaurant Collections/Commissions: Tomato Fresh Foods Café,
Notte’s Bon Ton, Lee’s Candies, Lingo’s Cyber Bistro
2008 “Motion Pitchers” commissioned gifts for Best Actors and Directors nominees, 2008 Academy Awards – George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Kate Blanchett, Julian Schnabel
2004 “Orcas in the City”, Public Art Project, Private collector, Vancouver, BC
2002 “Cooking with Diane Clemente”, tableware on BCTV
Publications
2014 "AwesomeVancouverPeopleProject", #21 - Vancouver is Awesome
2012 "D'Art Singuliere" 2012
2012-90 "Splash" Catalogue
2011 "A Matter of Clay 111", catalogue
2010 Ceramic Art and Perception #80: “Return to the Muses of Greece”
2010 BC Parent Magazine “The Power of Art to Inspire”
2009 “ 500 Vases in Clay” Lark Books
2008 Press for “Motion Pitchers and My DeLovely Fever” exhibit:
Magazine articles in Elle Canada, BC Business, American Style, Oasis Japan
Newspaper articles: Vancouver Sun, Province, Montreal Gazette, Jewish
Independent, London Free Press
2006 “500 Animals in Clay”, Larks Books 2006
2006 “Vixens”, Ceramics Art and Perception #63
2006,04,02 Vancouver Sun newspaper
2006,04,02 Jewish Western Bulletin
2005 Clay Times – the cover
2005 Missoula newspaper
2001 Courier Journal, Louisville, Kentucky
2000 Vancouver Sun – Karen Gram
1999 Vancouver Sun – Virginia Leeming
1998 “Made of Clay—Ceramics of British Columbia”
1997 “Great Work! An Overview of Contemporary British Columbia Artists”
1983 Vanguard Magazine
MEDIA
2014 "MIa Muse in Creston" - CROC Coop Radio interview
2014 "Tap Grace Awards" - Jewish Independent & Common Ground
2013 "Raw Vancouver" - Interview - youtube
2008 “North by Northwest”, CBC Radio, SeaFox Radio interviews
“The National”, studio interview, Global TV (4 minutes)
“Urban Rush”, interview, Shaw TV
Hong Kong TVB, studio interview
2007 HGTV America “That’s Clever”
2006 CBC Radio, “North by Northwest”
Community Work
2014-95 Auctions for Charitable events for BC Cancer Society, BC Kidney Fdn. CNIS,
Cystic Fibrosis, Diamond Ball, Parkinsons,Arts Umbrella….
2010-99 Co-cordinator and Board member for "Artists in our Midst"
Annual Vancouver studio tours and exhibits
2005 Co-cordinator and fundraiser for 50th Anniversary of the BC Potters Guild
1999-1997 Board member for Canadian Museum of Craft and Design
Suzy Birstein
Ceramics, Paintings, Workshops
CV/Bio
ARTIST STATEMENT
As a child I studied dance while absorbing Hollywood musicals, film noir and the mysteries of Rembrandt. As an adult, I’ve been seduced by the power of ancient and contemporary world cultures, and the sensual, spontaneous, inspiring activity of working with clay, colour and the essence of romance. There was a wonderful synchronicity when i was commissioned to create my colourful ceramics for the Oscar gift baskets presented to Academy Award Best Actors/Directors nominees.
My personal pantheon is a marriage of my childhood and adult influences, with the figure dominating my work. Impassioned by such diverse 20th century icons as Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Beatrice Wood, Busby Berkeley, Frank Sinatra and Tom Waits, I strive to merge the power of Nefertiti with the spirit of Carmen Miranda.
I explore the scale and diversity of my vision, by creating miniature to life size figurative sculptures accompanied by luscious and luminous oil paintings which expand upon the themes of my sculptures. Recently I have incorporated "found" columns into fictive mythological figures, some crowned with my vessels or adorned with textiles & bindis.
I live my life embodied by all the inspirations of my creative world: I tap dance and wear ball gowns as often as possible! I hope you enjoy video "My D'Lovely Fever" on Media Page.
RESUME
Education
2014 -1990 Master workshops: ceramics, painting, and monotypes: Rudi Autio, Viola
Frey, Peter Aspel, Lisa Birke, Jamie Evrard, Jeanne Krabbendam….
2014-2002 Vancouver Tap Dance Society: Training with Tap masters Jim Hibbard
Shelley Hunt, Mary Lou O'Brien, Troy MacLaughlin, Diane Walker, Jimmy Slyde…
2014-00 Travel/study - Greece, Turkey, Spain, France, Mexico, USA
2004 Stephen de Staebler workshop, Archie Bray Foundation, Montana
2003 Mentored by Miguel Linares, Mexico City creating giant papier mache Judas
1980 Emily Carr College of Art and Design (ECCAD), Vancouver BC
Honours Diploma, Ceramics
Teaching
2015-09 Biannual “MIA MUSE” workshop, Skopelos Foundation of the Arts, Greece
2014-90 ARTS UMBRELLA for Performing and Visual Arts, Van, BC
Clay and Multi-Media sculpture: ages 6-20yrs
2014-01 STUDIO Art Camps and Workshops: Continuous ceramics, papier mache,
painting workshops and demos for Children and Adults
2014-05 Artist Lectures and workshops: Local BC potters' guilds incl.
Saltspring Island, Fraser Valley, Williams Lake, The Kootenays...
2012-95 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE for Lower mainland of BC, including home
learners, public and private schools
1980-83 Station Arts Centre, White Rock, BC
Clay and multi-media sculpture for children 6-18
1982 First United Church/Carnegie Centre, downtown eastside Van. - initiated
ceramics program-handicapped pensioners, First Nations youth, Chinese
seniors.
Exhibits (Solo)
Sun. Dec 7th - Studio Sale/Open House - 11 til 8pm
Dec.2014-00 "Celebrate the Everyday Every Day" Annual Studio Exhibit/Sale
2014-2009 Invitational Artist for Greek Days Celebration, Van, BC
2012-1997 “Artists in our Midst” Vancouver’s annual Westside artist studio tour
2010 “Paintings Portray Sculpture”, Sanctuary, Unitarian Church of Van.
2008 “Motion Pitchers in London’s Window” Jonathon Bancroft Snell, London, Ont
2008 “My DeLovely Fever”, Seymour Art Gallery, Deep Cove, BC
2008 “Tap to the Muse” Film: dancer and producer. Seymour Art Gallery, youtube
2006 “Tete a Tete”, Silk Purse Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2004 “Message in a Bottle”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
2000 “Duets”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1998 “With a Song in My Heart”, Vancouver Community Arts Council
1995 “Pirates and Gypsy Queens”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1993 “Feast and Flower”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1990 “Birstein with Colour”, Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver BC
1983 “Painted Sculpture”, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, BC
1980 “Suspended Animation”, Helen Pitt Gallery, Vancouver BC
Exhibits(Group)
2014 "Ronda Limpia", Ronda Spain
2014-13 "SSBC: Annual Sculpture Exhibit", VanDusen Gardens, Vancouver
2014 "Envisioning Women", Sidney & Gertrude Zack Gallery, Vancouver BC
2014-02 "Project Empty Bowl", Vancouver BC
2014 "Nice you have a hobby", Leigh Square Art Centre, Pt. Coquitlam
2014-12 "I Love Art" - Valentine exhibit, Arts Umbrella Staff, Ainsworth Gallery, Van
2014-08 Gallery Artists, Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London Ont.
2014-10 Tap dance Performances with “Heart and Soul” Dance company
2013 "RAWVancouver" Showcase 2, Gossip - Vancouver
2013 "The Best of Everything", Baron Gallery, Vancouver
2013-09 Biannual "Mia Muse", Skopart - Skopelos, Greece
2013 "Dish it up", Gallery of BC Ceramics, Vancouver, BC
2013 "Fantastic Feast", Blackberry Gallery, Port Moody, BC
2013 "Emerging Painters", Stewart Stephenson Modern Art, Vancouver
2012 "Chacun, Chacune sa Divas" - Aubagne, France - Artistes Singuliere Festival
2012 "Chacun, Chacune Divas", Roquevaires, France - curated by Danielle Jacquie
2012 Round House - AIOM 20th Anniversary, Vancouver
2011 "Eclectic Elements" Ceramics, Artisan Square Public Gallery, Bowen Island, BC
2011 “Matter of Clay 3” Jonathon Bancroft Snell Gallery, London Ont
2011 “Mia Muse” exhibit, Skopelos Foundation of the Arts, Greece
2011-00 “ The Art of Splash”, Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver
2007-01 Empty Bowl”, Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby BC
2006-05 “Potsketch”, (invitational), Missoula, Montana
2006-05 “In the Palm”, (juried), Tajimi, Japan and Vancouver, BC
2006 Barry Lyon Collection, Gardiner Museum, Toronto Ont.
2005 “BC in a Box”, traveling to 6 galleries in BC
2005 “Transformations”, (juried), Burnaby Art Gallery, BC
2005 “Evolution: 80 Years of the Emily Carr Institute Alumni”, (invite)Van, BC
2004 “2004 International Cup”, (juried exhibit), Missoula, Montana
2004 “Orcas in the City”, Invitational Public Art Project for BC Lions Club, Van
2004 “Fathers and Daughters”, Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery, Vancouver BC
2002-01 “Bottled Spirits”, Kentucky Gallery of Arts and Design, (invite)Louisville
2002 “Artropolis - Self Portraits”, Vancouver BC
2001 “Masks”, Craft House Gallery, (iinvitational)Vancouver BC
1999 “Ninth National Biennial of Ceramics”, Trois Rivieres, Quebec
1999 “New Location, New Work”, (invitational) A Show of Hands, Toronto Ont.
1999/97 “Unexpected Collaborations”, Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver, BC
1998 “Clay 98 – Our Finest Work”, (juried)Vancouver Community Arts Council
1997 “Featuring BC Artists in BC”, Vancouver International Airport
1997 “The Figure – Different Views”, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond BC
1997 “The Canadian Collection at APEC ‘97”, Bank of Hong Kong, Vancouver
1997 “Great Work!!” (exhibit for book launch) Bank of Hong Kong, Vancouver
1995 “Northwest International Art Competition” Whatcom County Museum, WA
1995 “Teatime”, (invitational) Gallery Lynda Greenberg, Ottawa, Ont.
1994 “BC Artists in QC”, Barbara Silverberg Gallery, Montreal, Que.
1994 “64-94--Contemporary Decades”, Charles H. Scott Gallery, Vancouver BC
1994 “Gallery Artists”, Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, California
1993 “The Celebratory Bowl”, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo, Ontario
1993 “Made by Hand: The Pleasure of Making”, Canadian Craft Museum,Vancouver
BC (Juried exhibit, traveled in Canada for 2 years)
1993 “Majolika Majolica”, (juried) Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver BC
1993 “The Birthday Show”, Provenance Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
1992 “The 5th National Biennial of Ceramics”, Trois Rivieres, Quebec: juried/touring
1991 “Table of Honour” Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver BC
(Jury selected 8 finalists. Exhibit toured for 1 year)
1991 "All Boxed Up”, Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, Toronto Ont.
(3rd Prize Winner in this juried national exhibit)
1988/86 “Gallery Artists”, Atelier Gallery, Vancouver BC
1983 “Artropolis”, Vancouver BC
Commissions and Collections
2014-83 Private collections, locally and internationally
2014 "Tap Grace Awards" - Vancouver Tap Dance Society - artists, patrons, volunteers
2014-91 Vancouver Restaurant Collections/Commissions: Tomato Fresh Foods Café,
Notte’s Bon Ton, Lee’s Candies, Lingo’s Cyber Bistro
2008 “Motion Pitchers” commissioned gifts for Best Actors and Directors nominees, 2008 Academy Awards – George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Kate Blanchett, Julian Schnabel
2004 “Orcas in the City”, Public Art Project, Private collector, Vancouver, BC
2002 “Cooking with Diane Clemente”, tableware on BCTV
Publications
2014 "AwesomeVancouverPeopleProject", #21 - Vancouver is Awesome
2012 "D'Art Singuliere" 2012
2012-90 "Splash" Catalogue
2011 "A Matter of Clay 111", catalogue
2010 Ceramic Art and Perception #80: “Return to the Muses of Greece”
2010 BC Parent Magazine “The Power of Art to Inspire”
2009 “ 500 Vases in Clay” Lark Books
2008 Press for “Motion Pitchers and My DeLovely Fever” exhibit:
Magazine articles in Elle Canada, BC Business, American Style, Oasis Japan
Newspaper articles: Vancouver Sun, Province, Montreal Gazette, Jewish
Independent, London Free Press
2006 “500 Animals in Clay”, Larks Books 2006
2006 “Vixens”, Ceramics Art and Perception #63
2006,04,02 Vancouver Sun newspaper
2006,04,02 Jewish Western Bulletin
2005 Clay Times – the cover
2005 Missoula newspaper
2001 Courier Journal, Louisville, Kentucky
2000 Vancouver Sun – Karen Gram
1999 Vancouver Sun – Virginia Leeming
1998 “Made of Clay—Ceramics of British Columbia”
1997 “Great Work! An Overview of Contemporary British Columbia Artists”
1983 Vanguard Magazine
MEDIA
2014 "MIa Muse in Creston" - CROC Coop Radio interview
2014 "Tap Grace Awards" - Jewish Independent & Common Ground
2013 "Raw Vancouver" - Interview - youtube
2008 “North by Northwest”, CBC Radio, SeaFox Radio interviews
“The National”, studio interview, Global TV (4 minutes)
“Urban Rush”, interview, Shaw TV
Hong Kong TVB, studio interview
2007 HGTV America “That’s Clever”
2006 CBC Radio, “North by Northwest”
Community Work
2014-95 Auctions for Charitable events for BC Cancer Society, BC Kidney Fdn. CNIS,
Cystic Fibrosis, Diamond Ball, Parkinsons,Arts Umbrella….
2010-99 Co-cordinator and Board member for "Artists in our Midst"
Annual Vancouver studio tours and exhibits
2005 Co-cordinator and fundraiser for 50th Anniversary of the BC Potters Guild
1999-1997 Board member for Canadian Museum of Craft and Design
artspan is contemporary art