Biography
Susanna was born in Pretoria in 1967. In 1989 she graduated from the University of Pretoria with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree, majoring in sculpture and visual communication.
In 1994, after having pursued a four year apprenticeship at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture in New Jersey, USA, Susanna received her technical certifications in all aspects of foundry work. She also gained valuable experience in working with carious materials including bronze alloys, mild and stainless steels, aluminum, cupro-nickel, cast iron and silver.
After working for two years in Belgium, Susanna returned to South Africa and now produces sculpture that encompasses her love of the land and its people. The veld, its metaphysical beings, and the ancient mysteries of Africa are reflected in her work.
Susanna has been active in showing, guest-lecturing, judging and curating competitions in South Africa. She was recently awarded the ABSA / Association of the Arts (Pretoria) Medal for Achievement for her contribution to the arts.
“Spiritual and emotional elements are embodied by the visual aspects in my work. Such characteristics are intended to function as primal memory triggers opening forgotten internal dialogues within the viewer”.
SUSANNA SWART
MISSION STATEMENT
During the sacred hours of the night
Metaphysical images of angels and earth-like beings
Fill my soul
Their healing powers trace the spaces between my imaginings,
As they sing a song older than the African soil
Upon which I dream
-2001-
The above poem reflects my visual vocabulary. My sculptural images are drawn from a soul-deep connection with the earth and its myriad variations of beauty. I find the mystery of the landscape, particularly that of Africa, to reflect all the hopes, dreams and aspirations of humankind.
In my work, I try to convey the feelings invoked by the memories of natural forms. Rock formations become sacred temples, trees dancing figures and the pounding surf a visual rhythm in which to become lost. I endeavour to utilize these images to conjure the same emotions with my art.
The emotions I particularly try to explore are tranquility, stillness, protection and that deep yearning we all have to belong. One can find those feelings in nature easily while viewing a sunset over the ocean, or witnessing a storm crossing the veld. However, we lose the connection and belonging in everyday life. Cut off from nature and her cycles, we often forget to create a sacred space for ourselves.
My figurative works reflect the archetypal, mother earth figures in her cycles as protector, provider, nurturer and when necessary, disciplinarian. My non-figurative works draw on the same images as my figurative works, however they play less on the earth archetypes and more upon the human viewers archetypal responses. In both styles of my work, the consistency of my visual vocabulary links the viewer back to the earth and eventually, back to their own sacred spaces within themselves.
This is my goal, to communicate with the viewer that sense of the sacred within and without, the oft forgotten link we have with nature and the sense of peace and belonging we may reclaim through that connection.
To convey my feelings of ongoing cycles, my chosen media is bronze. This warm, earthy metal is produced and moulded through an intensive birth process of sweat and fire. The process itself is an art form and adds another dimension to the created works. The medium lends itself to a juxtaposition of textures, smooth planes and crisp lines draw the eye, while the rough textures continue to move the viewer around the sculpture.
The limitless technical possibilities with bronze are an enticing challenge to me as an artist. The possible variations of patination colours and the structural qualities, which allow for heavy forms married with delicate components, fire my imagination in their own right. The durability of bronze, which when executed and finished will last thousands of years, fuels my feeling of the ongoing connection with the earth. The earth will outlast me and so will my sculptures, the cycles of birth and re-birth will continue.
AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS
2005
Honoured Alumna of the Year, Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool, Pretoria
The South African Art Information Directory
Global Art Information, Cape Town, South Africa
2003
The ABSA Award for Contribution to the Arts
Arts Association, Pretoria
The Collector’s Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa
2001
Kunskafee
Kyknet Television Art Program, Featured Artist
1991-1995
Tuition Grant, The Johnson Atelier Technical Institute for Sculpture, Mercerville, NJ, USA
1989
Most Promising Sculpture Student, University of Pretoria
1988
First Place, Portland Cement Sculpture Competition, Pretoria, South Africa
1987
Winner of the Everite Sculpture Competition, Pretoria, South Africa
EXHIBITIONS AND COMPETITIONS
2005
Members Show, Pretoria Arts Association
Selected Artists, Frieda van Schalkwyk Art Consulting, Pretoria, South Africa
Art @ Abalone Gallery, Hermanus, South Africa,
2004
Two-person show, Primal Things, Arts Association of Pretoria
Joy, Tina Skukan Gallery, Faerie Glen, South Africa
Group Show, Old Arts Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
Group Show, ARTCOZA Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2003
Three Sculptures, The van Wouw Museum, Pretoria, South Africa
Abalone Gallery, Hermanus, South Africa
EROTICA, Arts Association, Pretoria, South Africa
Exhibition of Female Artists, Old Arts Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
Voortrekker Monument Exhibition, Pretoria, South Africa
2002
Solo Show, Soul Space, Old Arts Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
People, Planet and Prosperity, Arts Association, Pretoria and ABSA Gallery, JHB
2001
Aardklop Nasional Kunstefees, Kuns Sirkel, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Equus, Arts and Association, Pretoria, South Africa
Unframed, Tina Skukan Art Gallery, Faerie Glen, South Africa
Clarence Kunstefees, Clarence, South Africa
Femina, Arts Association, Pretoria, South Africa
Pecanwood Golf Estates, Hartebeespoortdam, South Africa
House of Art, Inaugural Show, Pretoria, South Africa
2000
ABSA Atelier, African Window, Pretoria, South Africa
Christmas Exhibition, Arts Association, Pretoria, South Africa
Group Show, Frieda van Schalkwyk Art Consulting, South Africa
1999
Inaugural Show, State Theatre Art Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
Group Show, Architectural Collaboration, Private Residence, Pretoria, South Africa
Reynard the Fox & other Foxtrot Stories, Belgian Folklore and Contemporary Mythology
Tina Skukan Gallery, Faerie Glen, South Africa
Inaugural Show, Gallery Vos, Pretoria, South Africa
Art & Life, State Theatre Art Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
1998
Pretoria News Lifestyle Expo, Cornwall Hill Estates, Irene, South Africa
10th Anniversary Exhibition, Guild House Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
Trap de jugd, Sculpture shown in conjunction with JATO’s “Agter Gesloten Deure”
Sets and props provided for JATO’s “Agter Gesloten Deure”, Johannesburg, South Africa
1997
Group Show, House of De LaHarpe Grobbelaar, Pretoria, South Africa
1996
Three Person Show, Koninlijke Kunst Acadamie, Oudenaarde, Belgium
1995
Works on display, Main Gallery, Art Casting, BVBA, Oudenaarde, Belgium
Group Show, Extension Gallery, The Johnson Atelier, Mercerville, NJ, USA
1994
Group Show, Art Museum of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Group Show, Guild House Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
1993
Group Show, “App-Art”, Extension Gallery, The Johnson Atelier, Mercerville, NJ, USA
Group Show, “African Art Consciousness”, Philadelphia, PA, USA
1992
Two-person Show, Extension Gallery, The Johnson Atelier, Mercerville, NJ, USA
1991
Group Show, Gallery on the Market, Johannesburg, South Africa
1990
Private Show, Mr. and Mrs. van Rooyen, Pretoria, South Africa
Group Show, “Volstruispaleis”, Antique Shop Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
Private Show, Mr. D. Grobbelaar, Pretoria, South Africa
1989
Group Show, Private Gallery, Mrs. D. Immelman, Pretoria, South Africa
Fourth Year Exhibition, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
1988 & 1989
New Signatures Competition, South African Arts Association, Johannesburg, South Africa
1987-1989
Multiple Student Exhibitions, Various Locations, South Africa
COMMISSIONS AND INSTALLATIONS
2005
Afrikaanse Hoër Miesieskool, Pretoria, South Africa
2004
Private Commission, Mr. Andrew Kothlogo, Silverlakes Estates, Pretoria, South Africa
2001
Private Commission, Mrs. J. Sofman, Mooikloof Estates, Pretoria, South Africa
1998
Saldhana Steel Corporation, Permanent Collection, Cape Town, South Africa
1996
Atlantic Engineering, Permanent Installation, Eke, Belgium
1994
Sculpture permanently displayed, Guild House Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
1991
South African Trademark and Patent Attorneys, Pretoria Office, Pretoria, South Africa
South African Trademark and Patent Attorneys, Johannesburg Office, JHB, South Africa
1990
South African Society for the Blind, Pretoria, South Africa
1989
Sculpture permanently displayed, Drostdy Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
USA
India
France
Belgium
Bolivia
Hungary
United Kingdom
Dubai
Canada
Australia
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Sculpture: Welding (MIG, TIG, Oxy-fuel, ARC), Fabrication with wood, stainless, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, cement. Carving of plaster, wood, stone. Modeling with cement, oil and water-based clays, and polystyrene. Moldmaking with plaster waste and piece molds, polyurethane resin, silicone and rubber. Printmaking with silk-screen, woodprint, linoleum block, intaglio, etching, and lithography. Toolmaking, metal finishing, chasing and polishing work.
Foundry: Casting-Iron, silver, copper, bronze, aluminum. Lost wax method, ceramic shell. Sand molding with green, Petrobond, and resin-bonded sands. Hot and cold patination of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, stone, and cement. Furnace, cupola and cupolette construction, equipment maintenance and repair.