Personal Statement
In my creative practice I explore human and non-human narratives. Experimenting with materials such as ink, chalk, charcoal, print, paint, textiles, second-hand clothes, yarn, concrete, peat, stone, found objects, and wild clay. Layers of different materials become layers of meaning and memory. Like archaeology. All pasts and futures exist in the present.
I am inspired by the transformative power of elemental forces, the landscape, and the human figure. Drawn to organic forms that are almost part of the human animal, examining seemingly antithetical elements like hard and soft, masculine and feminine, or past and future.
In my dissertation I discussed the use of art in exploring the imperceptible forces that surround us like time, death, love, spirituality, or our inner minds. Art can be used to attempt to understand or unearth these forces. To make the invisible visible.
​
Curriculum Vitae
Curiosity solo Exhibition | The Old Haa Museum, Yell, Shetland | April 2024
SSA 125th Annual group Exhibition | Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr | Nov 2023 – Jan 2024
BA (Hons) Fine Art (1st) | University of the Highlands and Islands | Shetland | 2023
Waddered Community Exhibition | Hymhus Shetland | July 2023 - September 2023
Vision 23 group Exhibition | UHI Shetland | June 2023
Gaada Brigði Collaboration | Gaada, Shetland | May 2023
A History of Shetland in 100 Sites course | UHI Shetland | March 2023
Shetland Collective group Exhibition | Dunblane | Dec 2022 – Feb 2023
Drift group Exhibition | Summerhall, Edinburgh and online | Sept 2022 - Oct 2022
Vision 22 group Exhibition | UHI Shetland | June 2022
Lipperin group Exhibition | Bonhoga, Shetland | March 2022 - April 2022
Jamieson and Smith Competition Prize winner | Aug 2021
Reconsider Wool solo Exhibition | Da Gaddery, Shetland | Sept 2019 - Oct 2019
Bonhoga Open group Exhibition | Bonhoga, Shetland | Sept 2019 - Nov 2019
Wool Week Exhibition Prize winner | Shetland | June 2019
20x20 group Exhibition | Auld Haa, Shetland | June 2019
Vision 19 group Exhibition | UHI Shetland | June 2019
Tutor of Whalsay Watercolour Workshops | July 2018
Aairvhous Cafe solo Exhibition | Whalsay, Shetland | June 2018 - July 2018
Whalsay Heritage and Community Centre commission | June 2018
Poem 'The Artist' published in "My Time" poetry book | March 2018
Bonhoga Open group Exhibition | Bonhoga, Shetland | Sept 2017- Nov 2017
Recycled Art project | Whalsay school, Shetland | June 2017
Whalsay Play Park wall panel commission | May 2016
Brae Up Helly Aa 'Bill Head' commission | March 2016
(Fourth child born in April 2012)
Featured in article ‘Exposed Roots’ in “Shetland Life” magazine | April 2011
Tutor of introduction to drawing classes | Shetland | March 2011 - June 2011
Bonhoga Touring Exhibition | Shetland | Jan 2009 - Feb 2010
Poem 'Da Hill' published in "Bards in the Bog" book | Oct 2009
Creative Writing 1 and 2 courses | Shetland College | Aug 2009
(Third child born in June 2009)
Student group Exhibition | Da Gaddery, Shetland | Dec 2008- Jan 2009
Visual Studies module in Contemporary Textiles | Shetland College | 2008
NC Art and Design | Shetland College | 2007
(Second child born in Sep 2005)
Book illustrations in "Whalsay Waves" project | Aug 2004
(First child born in Dec 2003)
HND Social Sciences | Aberdeen College | 2001
Student group Exhibition | Da Peerie Shop, Shetland | Sept 1999 - Oct 1999
Poem 'Walking By' published in "The New Shetlander" magazine | 1998
​
Paula Rego Quotes
"If you put frightening things into a picture, then they can't harm you. In fact, you end becoming quite fond of them."
"Art is the only place you can do what you like. That's freedom."
​
“Sketches always have more vitality than paintings because you're finding things out through doing them.”
​
​
FAQs
​
For concrete sculpture care instructions click here ​
For info on 'Da Lairds Witch' see my blog - click here​ and scroll down
To visit the Whalsay Heritage and Community Centre's website click here
​
I hope you have enjoyed my online galleries, for some more ramblings and more of my creative practice, please follow me @susanpearsonart on Instagram or Facebook.
Links below...
