Suzanna Scott

“Through my work I explore forms in and of the body. I am fascinated by its bulbous shapes, layers of sinew
and skin, undulating folds, knobby joints and the constant hum of discharged thought and bodily secretions.
It is both sensual and ghastly. It brings us pleasure and pain. From birth to death we are captive to the human form we call our body.” —Suzanna Scott

In Conversation

A Voice for the Body

With bound objects, stitched layers, and sculpted forms, Suzanna Scott breathes life into the body, transcending traditional expressions. Her artwork offers a fresh perspective on the human form, illuminating the intricacies that make us who we are.

1. Briefly describe the work you do.

Most of my work is three dimensional and constructed with commonplace materials such as fiber, aluminum foil, wax and found objects. I also tend to work on a smaller, more intimate scale with individual forms but use repetition as a way of building emphasis and expressing my ideas. Whether I’m repeating myself to build up a texture or to create a large installation, the repetition of stitching or collecting objects keeps me fully engaged in the process of saying what I’m trying to say.

2. What or who inspires your work and how has that influenced both your work and your identity as an artist?

Throughout my work I explore forms and themes that revolve around the human body, whether the physical or psychological aspects of inhabiting a body. There are so many artists whose works have explored this theme and who inspire my own work. To name my top five I would have to say; Eva Hesse, Kiki Smith, Louise Bourgeois, Berlinde De Bruyckere, and Alina Szapocznikow.

3. Making Art traditionally carry cultural, historical, or personal narratives. How do you incorporate these narratives in your contemporary pieces?

As an artist I find it of utmost importance to stay engaged with current events. Several series of my work address political and social issues here in the United States. I find that art can draw people in to look closer and see these issues in a new light. At the very least I hope to start a conversation and possibly make the viewer look again.

4. Do you aim for a particular emotional or sensory experience in audience interaction with your pieces, considering that textiles or mixed media artworks can evoke a tactile response?

I love to walk the line between visual pleasure and disgust. I strive to create surfaces that beg the viewer to want to touch them.

5. Given that textiles and mixed media often generate residuals, how do you specifically approach sustainability and work to minimize environmental impact in your artistic practice?

The wonderful thing about being an artist is we can always figure out how to make something new out of almost anything. I save all my scraps in bins and don’t toss out much of anything. It seems that everything in the studio is used eventually. Some of my favorite found objects have been discovered on the side of the road in someone else’s trash pile. I also love to look for items that have character and a past life at flea markets, thrift shops or eBay.

6. Get inspired!

INSTAGRAM: @suzanna_scott
WEBSITE: suzannascott.com

Visual Narratives

Explore Endless Inspiration Today!

INTHEARTS Magazine #2

Editor: Rodrigo Franzao

Details

Semi-gloss (216 GSM)
Matte paper (118 GSM)
Portrait, 8.5×11 in (22×28 cm)
48 pages

ISBN: 979-8-88-136387-1

Read Print

Learn Directly from the Masters!

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