room for humour
Artists A – Z
Susan Hippe (b. 1966)
I was born in South Africa and have lived in a variety of countries - United
Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark and USA. While working as a ballet dancer an injury gave me the opportunity to pursue a career in art. Coming from a theatrical and dance background, the consistent theme of my work is movement, which I translate on a visual pictorial level. The movement of a body, voice or melody transgresses into sweeping mass of lines capturing the energy and beauty of the moving entity. My preferred medium is progressive drawing and mixed media, often combining my passion for lines with my love for materials and patterns.
Since graduating in 1999, I have been exhibiting and producing work on a regular basis, including one public and numerous private commissions. I have had several solo exhibitions in London and taken part in group exhibitions in London, New York, Paris, Edinburgh, Spain and the UK. In a way, the act of drawing is choreographic; a drawn line is both a graphic entity and a physical movement that is at once spontaneous and precise, it is accomplished in one continuous movement. The pen hits the surface running and leaves it in the same fashion. I want to create vibrant images, which energies the viewer, whatever the theme and mood of the picture. I want to reflect my own energy within the physical process of making. I like to combine a vigorous working process with humour, exuberance and eccentricity.
Born in Johannesburg, I was inspired by the vitality and richness of colour, which surrounded me in South Africa. I often find it interesting to mix my drawings with materials, exploring especially the infinite possibilities of our consumer's world, for example cosmetic pads, coffee filters, pencil sharpener residue, plastic, quilt, textile, aluminium foil, balloons, stickers... Inspiration is everywhere. Popular culture, street life, folklore, travelling, opera, ballet, theatre, daily life experiences and observations. An important aspect is also the notorious humour of the Anglo-Saxon culture.
Susan Hippe (b. 1966): BIG, THICK, UNCUT, 2001, Mixed media on paper, Sheet size 16 x 11,5 cm, Signed
Purchased by J. & R. Hammond from Susan Hippe on the occasion of her joint exhibition NAKED TRUTH with Wiebke Dryer, Renate Hammond and Ray Soko at the Affordable Art Fair in London in 2002.
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