Susanna Harris, the artist. All images are courtesy of the artist.
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Welcome Susanna Harris. I’ve been loving and following your work since meeting you in an artist residency (Susanna’s) in Ohio. Tell us a little about yourself and your work.
I grew up in the suburbia of Columbus, Ohio. I work with paper and print media to create installations that consider grief and the climate crisis. I’ve been making this kind of work since 2020, but I started seriously pursuing art in 2017. I’m very influenced by my personal experiences with loss, grief, and the climate crisis happening all around me. I’m also inspired by life all around me: Shadows, plants, and everyday life.
I’m so glad to have you in for a chat (with coffee) and learn a bit more about your work. Let’s jump in!
What do you love about making art?
I love being able to process difficult experiences through art making. It’s the best way for me to communicate with the world in a way that I feel is universal and inclusive. My brain has a lot going on all the time and when I’m making art my brain takes a break and I can just allow my subconscious mind take over. Then I take a step back and bring in my training and experience to make the necessary edits.
Tipping Point
How do you evaluate your work?
I’m very critical of my own work and have to take time to think about it as I create. The practice of doing this often, definitely speeds up this process, but as an installation artist, it just takes time to install and then make sure the work is doing what I want it to. I often install my art and have to spend at least an evening away from it to consider what needs to happen to make it work. I’m always considering things like balance, design, and color.
Where is your studio, and what is your primary work area?
Right now I’m lucky enough to have a very supportive partner that doesn’t mind having an art studio instead of a second bedroom. Maybe I’ll grow out of this space as my work seems to keep getting larger, but for now I love the convenience of being able to work any hour I want (I can be a night owl maker) because it’s important to me to be able to jump in when inspiration strikes.
What clues or questions do you use to select an idea to invest time and resources?
I’m always thinking about art and collect supplies so that I can play and really not worry too much about what I might need. In a way I give myself myself certain materials as a variable in the process
About your work: what do you hope people notice the most?
My work uses large hand cut prints and I always want my work to make an impact in the space to draw people in. I want the viewer to notice that they are looking at paper, That these are prints and that I’m talking about the climate crisis. I want them to be challenged by the work. Is it making you question art?
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
To be honest I’m trying to have more “guilty pleasures.” As an American woman I’ve grown up in a society that praises hard work at the expense of enjoying life. Don’t get me wrong I still believe in hard work and I think it takes a lot of elbow grease to be an artist, self promote, and get off the ground. I’m beginning to understand how truly revolutionary rest is, in a society that champions capitalism. I love gardening, playing with my cat Astrid, spending time with my love, my dad, my uncle, my siblings, and my friends. Video games are always great, and I stream tv shows, I like decorating around the house, and I like baking a lot and have been on a sourdough kick. I also just like to putter around a bit. Which feeds into my art practice. I look at things, objects, and think about them and how I could use them in a project.
“As life in America changes we need to set up support systems for our most vulnerable citizens and as we help others we set the stage to be helped ourselves. Do not give up on America.” - Susanna
How do you define success as a creative? How do you hold yourself accountable?
The best experiences I’ve had as a creative person were always when I was creating the work for myself. Out of a need to make something or release something. Even though I am conscious there is an air of dreamlike flow that happens. That feels like fulfillment. Of course I have this list that I almost think of as a game as far as what I think success looks like in the art world. At this point in my career I’ve been aiming for one solo or two person exhibition, one residency, and 3-5 relevant juried exhibitions to my work or location. I make lists of things to apply for and honestly don’t sweat it when I don’t end up applying. I don’t have a quota or anything like that, but I’m never going to apply for just one of a certain “category.” If I want 1 residency in a year I might need to apply for at least 5 or 6. If I’m offered more than one, great! I just try to do what I can and make sure to read through everything, so I know if it’s really a yes. This allows me to say hey this exhibition doesn’t really sound right for my work, or I don’t really like how this is set up which turns into easy no’s. Giving me more capacity to do the things that make sense to me. As a woman and an artist I think it’s important for me to do it this way as I move through seasons where I feel more able to apply to things, or maybe I feel more inclined to make things.
Shield
When do you discuss things with your inner critic?
The short answer is often. I trust my inner critic because she is a trained, educated, experienced art professional. When I’m making art some things are a given. Usually I give myself certain materials to work with and then I start. I work for a while allowing play and curiosity to lead. From there I can start to make critiques of the direction I need to go. Do I need to take something away? Add something; like more of what’s already there, or a new medium? Oftentimes these questions aren’t answered until the next day, or a week or more later, but these are important judgments that always make the work better.
Who are your creative influences, and whose work are you admiring now?
I’ve had so many influences as I’ve moved through my artistic journey. Starting with family my mom Jan Harris who allowed me to create and make messes, my uncle Kevin Payne who has always encouraged creativity and a love for drawing, my dad, Tom Harris, who is an engineer and will design and build my projects and always shows up, my husband, Keegan Orr who supports me endlessly in so many capacities and as a scientist is an excellent sounding board. My largest creative influences are people who have been my mentors; Nicolas Hill, Marilyn McPheron, Louise Captein, Jim Bowling, Amanda Kline, Jonathan Johnson, Janice Glowski, Karen Alabnese Campbell, Judith Steele, Leigh Garcia, and Taryn McMahon, or peers; Tara Segars, Claire Bowman, Gilbert Sutherland, Alex Lewis, Jennifer Masley, Simon Tatum, or artists in my sphere and I often think about their work; Nikki Crock, Virginia Kistler, Stephanie Rond, Dana Lynn Harper, Nicole Malcolm, Cissi Hultman, and artists I’ve never met but greatly appreciate their work and contributions; Tara Donovan, Swoon, Judy Chicago, Joan Mitchell, Niki de Sainte Phalle, Yayoi Kasama, Glenn Kaino, Alexis Neumann, Rebecca Louise, Chiharu Shiota, Nick Cave, Kara Walker, and more and more everyday and every time I visit an art museum.
What would you like people to know that I haven't asked?
I want to use this space to encourage getting out into the world and fostering face to face community. As life in America changes we need to set up support systems for our most vulnerable citizens and as we help others we set the stage to be helped ourselves. Do not give up on America. This country has deep problems, but through understanding history, and believing science we can take steps into a better future for all of us. It’s a lie that we can’t make a difference as individuals. Start small by supporting local libraries, getting things secondhand, DIYing, and only buy new if you can do so locally and ethically. Support small businesses, local farmers, and artisans. If you have a yard, start a victory garden and start growing food and native plants, leave the leaves. Alternatively grow a garden in containers, or join a community garden. Remove meat from at least one of your meals a week. Boycott plastic bags, and companies that don’t put people first. Stay vigilant and protect your family, friends, and neighbors. Get out into the world and build community. Planting a seed in even one person makes a difference.
“Everything we do counts and when we participate as a community and nation we can make incredible lasting change.” - Susannna
Susanna - thank you for spending this time with us, so generous. I appreciated your sage and wise words about finding those yes’s and no’s. That really resonated.
Best to you my friend-
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