artists to watch
Susan Else Santra Cruz, California
Working in three-dimensional forms gives Susan Else’s work the appearance of something cuddly and cute. Look more closely though, and her political commentary comes through loud and clear. Her quilted figures have a message that viewers will appreciate along with the humor she injects into each piece.
12 | SAQA Art Quilt Collector
Stealth art The marvelous thing about working in cloth is that it often seduces the viewer into thinking the work will be “safe” and “comfortable.” I use this quality to create what I call “stealth art,” which pulls viewers in and then makes them grapple with uncomfortable issues. My work often has a political overtone, but I try not to be too didactic or to point too many fingers. I figure we’re all responsible for what’s wrong in the world. You can look at the piece When Ponies Dream as a comment on power relationships, for example, but it’s also a celebration of color, mechanics, and the flexibility of cloth as a medium. The ponies are having a wonderful time, even if the humans are a little downtrodden. The shopping figure in Consumer Confidence may be covered with little transparent skulls, but the useless items in her shopping bags are very seductive, and her latte is a complex piece of fiber engineering.
