Susan Collis

Collis’s work takes utilitarian and overlooked every day objects and subverts the viewers expectations by making the “paint splatters” on a chair out of precious stones for example. Influenced by artists such as Robert Morris, who focus on materials, and those who explore mimesis, such as Jeff Koons, her work is inherently craft based, and has an element of humour, imploring viewers to reevaluate their preconceptions. The term “Baroque Minimalism” has been used to describe her work.

“Typically works involve momentous amounts of often hidden labour to create an object that may easily go unnoticed, but is replete with value, be it material or conceptual. Much of Collis’ work can go un-noticed and this visual gamble results in a possible conceptual pay-off that rewards concerted investigation by the viewer.” – I love the idea of rewarding those who engage with what is around them with the satisfaction of an ‘aha’ moment, solving a riddle.

To me, there is something wabi-sabi about her work in the sense that she is asking her audience to find beauty in the everyday. Her use of precious, valuable materials for things that would usually be considered ‘damaged’ also reminds me of kintsugi.