Susan Lenz – October 6-8
Susan Lenz is a professional artist who uses needle and thread for self-expression. She works to articulate the accumulated memory in discarded things, seeking a partnership with her materials, their purposes, values, and familial associations.
For Susan’s Found Object Mandala series, she uses multiples of seemingly mundane items – paper clips, keys, bottle caps, buttons, nails, plastic spoons, and old clock parts are combined with dominoes, film reels, old toys, and holiday decorations. These and so many other- often vintage items – are receptively hand stitched into meditative patterns on sections of old quilts, bringing an extraordinary new life to otherwise everyday things.
Susan’s work has appeared in national publications, numerous juried exhibitions, and fine craft shows. Her solo installations have been mounted all over the country including the Mesa Contemporary Museum of Art and as far away as the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England. Her work is in the Textile Museum in Washington, DC, and the McKissick Museum in SC. Susan is represented by the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, NC.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
Generally using needle and thread for self-expression, I work to articulate the accumulated memory inherent in discarded things. I seek a partnership with my materials, their purposes, values, and familiar associations. Memory, universal mortality, and personal legacy are central themes. Vintage and recycled materials are combined with meticulous handwork and self-guided, free motion machine embroidery.
In-person and Virtual Lecture: Tues, Oct 6: 9:30 am (CT): Found Object Mandalas
Susan started stitching her found object mandalas during the pandemic. It was her way to deal with a changing world and adapt to virtual opportunities that replaced in-person exhibitions and events. For Susan, using multiples of seemingly mundane objects puts into perspective the abundance of life. Susan will share the
In-Person Workshop: One Woman’s Trash Transformed
Tues, Oct 6: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wed, Oct 7: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Thurs, Oct 8: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
This workshop is aimed at the transformation of found objects and materials – following the popular mantra: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. Demonstrations and materials will be provided including: 1) Transforming wooden threadspools into holiday ornaments 2) Tagging old keys with inspirational words/phrases and fitting them into shadowbox frames 3) Zigzag stitching neglected yarn into cording and fiber vessels 4) Cutting up Susan’s older artwork and/or other 2D art into greeting cards 5) Using scraps of fusible-backed fabrics to fill pre-cut mats and 6) Creating a Found Object Mandala.
Time will be spent on individual critiques and open discussions on inspiration, professional development, and the working life of a studio artist. Susan’s thirty-year background as a certified custom picture framer will enhance the workshop. Materials and use of equipment are included. Participants are encouraged to bring a few non-precious keepsakes and other small items to include in your projects.