Constrained Crane

Suzanne Eller, USA

The Pacific Northwest was my childhood playground where I had the freedom to collect treasures from my adventures on the beaches and in the forest. My affinity for beach glass, driftwood, rocks and shells has remained with me into adulthood. Returning to the Pacific Northwest has reconnected me with natural world, and has been the impetus for my self-taught artistic expression in the medium of assemblage art. I am often drawn to the discarded and forgotten, perhaps because of the untold stories those items represent. My affinity for antiquing, collecting and crafting are the building blocks of my work. The inspiration for my art comes from my grandparents who lived in tiny rural towns in California’s gold country. Collecting items from nature and other found objects was ingrained into my childhood experiences with them.

Often, a single piece of driftwood or a rusty tool will spark an image of a fully formed piece in my mind, then transform as I bring other bits and pieces into the mix. My pieces integrate masculine and feminine objects, often juxtaposing rusty tools, organic elements and textiles into sculptures. Ranging from obliquely political to whimsical to forlorn, my work is filtered through the lens of my own unique history and is meant to be a catalyst for interesting conversation.

The inspiration for this piece initially came from the antique rug-hooking tool that comprises the body. As often seen in my pieces, there is a unique combination of masculine and feminine elements. This piece was exhibited in 2017 at the 19th Annual Expressions Northwest show at the Northwind Arts Center in Port Townsend, Washington.

OFFERED AT $465.00

Constrained Crane © Suzanne Eller

Returning to the Pacific Northwest has reconnected Suzanne Eller with the natural world, and has been the impetus for her self-taught artistic expression in the medium of assemblage art. A single piece of driftwood or a rusty tool will spark an idea of a fully formed image in her mind, then transform, as she brings other bits and pieces into the mix. Her pieces integrate masculine and feminine objects, juxtaposing rusty tools, organic elements and textiles into sculptures. Ranging from obliquely political to whimsical to forlorn, her work is meant to be a catalyst for interesting conversation. Visit www.suzanneellerart.com for more information.