AN evocative new exhibition at Nambucca Valley Phoenix in Bowraville is inviting visitors to look beyond the surface and engage in a shared artistic journey.
Titled “Despite Appearances”, the exhibition by Woolgoolga-based artist Suse Wilson brings together around 20 works that explore resilience, faith and personal reflection through largely abstract forms.
Wilson said the title emerged organically during the creative process.
“It’s called Despite Appearances, a title that came to me after an interesting character emerged from the artwork and seemed to be saying ‘despite appearances, I am okay’,” she told News Of The Area.
The exhibition features predominantly greyscale works created using graphite, ink and charcoal, alongside a diverse mix of pieces including a transparency installation, interpretive coloured works, a self-portrait and smaller ink drawings framed in recycled materials.
Among the works is RobotSong, a 26-page coloured pencil installation currently in progress and intended for future presentation as a children’s book.
Wilson describes her artistic journey as one that began later in life after putting aside creative pursuits for many years.
“I started a more serious pursuit of art at a fairly advanced age, after putting vocational art-making on hold for a long time and for various reasons, though it remained a valued part time pastime,” she said.
She reflected on an early moment that shaped her path away from art as a young person.
“As a preteen I gave in to fear of suffering when, after viewing the movie on Michelangelo’s life titled ‘The Agony & the Ecstasy’ I thought to myself, ‘Well agony doesn’t sound like much fun’, and I headed in other directions.”
Her return to study later in life proved transformative.
“My return to TAFE studies in my sixties gave me momentum and some belief in my abilities as an art-maker and since then I believe I have have been flourishing as a drawing student under the excellent tuition of the lively and dedicated teachers who initiated and now lead Bay Art School,” she said.
Faith plays a central role in Wilson’s creative expression.
“My motivation is to share the gospel of Christ in whatever way I can and this overflows into my artistic practice, though my recent love of abstract art reinforces the truth that artists who leave it up to the viewer to ‘complete the story’ of the piece for themselves show respect to their audience.”
Now based in Woolgoolga, Wilson said her surroundings have supported her creative growth.
“I’m a Woolgoolga local now and for me life here is conducive to creative work,” she said.
Her work also reflects a deeply personal perspective on life and meaning.
“I’m finding great fulfilment in my life now after a bad start, and while I’m sure to have less years on earth ahead of me than behind me, my worldview informs me that physical death is not the end of my life; I have an eternity with Christ Jesus to happily anticipate.”
Wilson draws inspiration from both classical and contemporary artists.
Despite Appearances runs until 4 June at Nambucca Valley Phoenix in Bowraville.
By Mick BIRTLES
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
