By Name and Nature:
Fragile Landscapes
An exhibition of sculpture and prints by Susan Graham
July 25 - August 16, 2025
Main Gallery
Artist Statement: Susan Graham
By Name and Nature: Fragile Landscapes
My work uses strategies of pattern and decoration to poetically depict stressed landscapes, storms, and the eternal struggle between nature and technology. Central to this idea are the Toile Landscapes including chine collé’ paper cut out and woodblock prints and porcelain wall sculptures. The flora that composes the base of the patterns in my work are interspersed with industrial structures such as transmission towers, satellite dishes, or cell phone towers disguised as trees. Inspired by the recurring patterns of complex pastoral landscapes and the storytelling qualities found in traditional Toile de Jouy wallpaper and the porcelain and metal construction of Tole Flowers, my focus is the exploration of contemporary themes: climate change, human encroachment on fragile environments and social responsibility.
Biography:
Susan Graham attended Ohio State University and the School of Visual Arts in New York. Her work has been shown at galleries and museums including Photology Gallery in Milan, Neuberger Museum of Art, Whitney Museum at Philip Morris, Musee International des Arts Modestes, Sete, France, the Tucson Museum of Art, the Lux Art Institute in southern California, and MUDAC Museum in Lausanne. Her work was commissioned (Nancy Rosen Inc./Allan Kolkowitz/Bloomberg Philanthropies project) for a public piece in the elevator lobby of the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Sheikh Zayed Tower in Baltimore, Maryland. Graham has been the recipient of several fellowships and grants from organizations such as the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, The Sustainable Arts Foundation, SIP at the Blackburn Printshop in the Elizabeth Foundation, Smack Mellon Artist Residency in Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Ruth Chenven Foundation, and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
IG: @susangrahamart
Hurricane Bouquet; 2024; glazed porcelain, copper, paint; 70 x 95 x 15 inches
Toile Floating Landscape 12; 2022; glazed porcelain; 18 x 13 x 5 inches
Blooms; 2021; glazed porcelain; 4 x 7 x 4 inches
Hurricane Bouquet-detail; 2024
Growing Season; 2024; chine-collé paper cut out, graphite, and ukiyo-e woodblock print; 40 x 50 x 2 inches
Growing Season-detail; 2024