Susie Mendelsson

Susie Mendelsson is a visual artist based in Woodbridge, Suffolk. She trained initially as a graphic artist before moving into painting and later sculpture, gaining an MA in Fine Art in 2001. She also holds a Diploma in Art Teaching and a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design.

Susie has exhibited widely in the UK and abroad and now concentrates on making new work from her garden studio. She works primarily in sculpture, using paper, cardboard and discarded objects to create strange, expressive and often humorous figures.

Her work is influenced by folk and outsider art and by Expressionism, particularly its interest in the psychological and emotional life of the individual. She is fascinated by the human figure, especially the female form, but has little interest in anatomical accuracy or perfection. Instead, she uses distortion, humour and a deliberately rough, handmade quality to explore vulnerability, anxiety, resilience and the absurdities of being human.

Artist Statement

Welcome to my wonderful world of weird.

I make sculptures from paper and discarded objects, creating figures that can be funny, disconcerting, vulnerable or all three at once. I'm fascinated by the human figure, especially the female form, but I'm not interested in perfect representation or accurate anatomy. What interests me is what goes on underneath: our fears, anxieties, dreams, secrets, desires and all the things we carry around inside our heads.

Much of my work starts with something personal — a memory, a feeling, an irritation or an experience from my own life. I hope, though, that it travels beyond me and connects with something universal. I'm particularly interested in women's experiences, but the emotions and vulnerabilities I explore belong to all of us. Humour is important because even the darkest subjects can have an absurd side.

I'm strongly influenced by folk and outsider art. I love art that is rough around the edges and has humanity, integrity and emotional truth. I don't believe in skill for skill's sake, and I'm happy for the joins, imperfections and awkwardness to remain visible.

Sometimes I begin with a specific idea; at other times I simply start playing with materials and see what emerges. That element of play is central to my practice. I enjoy the unexpected things that happen during making, and often the work takes me somewhere I didn't anticipate.

I don't do sophisticated. I make work that is raw, curious and human.

Susie Mendelsson

Artist Statement

Work