Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Katz.
Sue, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
After studying for a master’s degree in sculpture at Ohio State University, I studied ceramics with Peter Voulkos, UC Berkeley, and contemporary art history with Irving Sandler, New York University. While living in New York City I taught ceramics and contemporary art history at New Jersey City State University for five years. Next I moved to Colrain, MA, to raise a family. Then in Amherst, I cofounded and/or codirector two community art galleries and started the Amherst Art Walk, the first monthly art walk in the area. I also was a founding member of New England Wax, a regional group of artists working in encaustic. Primarily I make art, “constructs” of paint and mixed media. I exhibit in the Amherst-Northampton area, New England and nationally.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I call my abstract work “constructs” combining paint and found objects. I scavenge old, worn, weathered metal and wood from dumpsters, industrial sites, beaches and woods. I assemble these treasures now on my studio floor, moving them about and putting them together with an inner eye focused on meaning. Painterly gesture within the structure of the square, rich earthy surfaces within formal shapes describe one person, one spirit or several squares signify decades/generations. Process and materials fuse together forming content of family/lineage. As I work I enjoy the procedural; as I finish I wonder about the conceptual; thought and language reveal the title, the spirit of relationships and connections.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
I work abstractly though I realize representational art sells much more readily. Still I challenge myself and don’t expect to sell frequently. Financially for work, I have been an art teacher on all levels, primarily college. I do some graphic design and website work currently.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I am a founding member of Gallery A3 in Amherst, MA. We have a new show with new work from artists in the area each month with an opening and an art forum – gallerya3.com. I am next in a two person show May 2019.
I have been exhibiting with New England Wax, due to show on Cape Cod next spring, after showing in New Haven, CT, and Portland, ME, recently.
Contact Info:
- Address: suekatzart@comcast.net
- Website: suekatzart.com
- Other: gallerya3.com, newenglandwax.com
Light At Five In the Afternoon, 2010, 54” x 54” x 6”, encaustic, on paper, metal, wood
Four, 2017, 24” x 50” x 3”, encaustic on paper, metal, wood
It Takes Two, 2017, 55.5” x 48” x 4”, encaustic on paper, metal, wood
Transfixed, 2017, 51.5” x 43.5” x 3”, encaustic on silk, copper, wood, metal
Image Credit:
Sue Katz
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