FIVE SISTERS & A FAMILY TREE The image of Susan’s work which sticks in my head from a visit to a local gallery is a life-size sculpture of a lamb, posed nervously and slightly awkwardly, as if for take-off; a facial expression which I would read as nervous, if not fearful, with intense dark eyes, and widespread ears. The lamb’s fleece has patterned interventions – a partial mosaic of fine textile or tile-like areas on its back. Not far away is a badger sitting up, with a checked breast and underbelly, countered by incised fleur-de-lis patterning over its shoulders, and a disconcerting trail of red down one side of its back. Both animals expect a very intense engagement with their viewer: they look you in the eye, and expect to be invested with a personality or an interpretation of their expression and stance: Susan’s own artist’s statement, and a conversation with her, confirm that this is her working intention – we tend to invest these creatures with a personality which originates in our own, and probably do the same with living creatures too, whether observed in passing, or much loved pets with habits which we have time to notice, and think we understand.
Sheep (detail), 2015. 720x700x320mm
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