Sue Garten

"I am an artist. My medium is vitreous enamels - glass fired on metal. I use basse-taille, firescale, and precious foil enamel techniques as a means of expression. The vibrant colors and tactile surfaces which can be created are endlessly facinating to me. I love firing glass on metal. I create non-functional vessels, wall pieces and sculptural objects, though jewelry is still part of my artistic vocabulary. I sometimes work from my drawings or 3-D models, but not as much as I did earlier in my career. For me, working intuitively and directly with my materials is the most satisfying way of creating art.

I find inspiration in nature, events in the world, and even my own external and internal life. Texture, color, and pattern have always been important elements in my work, probably inspired by my interest in fiber and fabric. I find symbols, rituals, myths, customs, and tradition in various cultures fascinating. I have a need to address serious subjects but I also find a lot to laugh about in life. I like visual puns and jokes. I hope some of my work will cause the viewer to think seriously about certain subjects, but I hope other pieces will elicit a smile. I believe there are certain elements that are common to all cultures, which touch us as human beings despite the boundaries of time or space. I hope that I can synthesize all these influences and inspirations into pieces that speak to people’s hearts and minds." - Susana Garten

SOURCE - https://susanagarten.com/home.html (Sept 2025)