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Suzanne Benton is a native New Yorker who has shared her many-
faceted art for over 30 years in 29 countries. A trans-culturalist and
feminist pioneer based in the States, her venues stretch from New York
City to villages in remote parts of Africa, India, and Nepal, and to
philosophy and education portals from Calcutta to Cambridge. A former
Fulbright Scholar (India), and recipient of many grants, artist residencies
and hostings by the cultural arm of US Embassies, she's traveled worldwide
since 1976, sharing her work in Bali, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Bulgaria,
Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Holland,
India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.
Beyond exhibiting widely (150 solo shows and representation in museum
and private collections worldwide), Benton a highly recognized metal mask
maker and mask performance artist, printmaker, painter, lecturer, and
workshop leader. Author of The Art of Welded Sculpture and numerous
articles, she is and has been listed in among others, Who’s Who in America;
Who’s Who in American Art; and Feminists Who Changed America 1963-
1975, Edited by Barbara Love
Artist Statement
Believing that the purpose of art is to explore humanity and that art comes
alive as it relates to people's lives, my art draws upon multicultural themes
and engages the participation of others. I consider my work to be a bridge
between cultures. Drawn to diverse themes steeped in myth, ritual and
archetype, the metier of metal sculptured masks has inspired me to create
art around the world, studying myths and masking and infusing my work
with this rich material.
As a performance and a visual artist, my transcultural tales, myths and
legends are portrayed through the steel and bronze masks I've created here
and abroad. I also teach people of all ages and backgrounds in school and
community settings to create their own masks and lead them in mask
storytelling.
Beyond mask and metal, I've created 17 Secret Future Works, mixed
media sculptures with locked interiors to be opened at a set time in the
future. The unseen, presented within the context of art is meant to challenge
us to consider our personal and global futures. Several opened on
auspicious occasions. Others, created in India, Bangladesh, Ireland, Kenya,
Tanzania, and the States will open in the future. One such was opened in
January 2011 prior to a ten week art working journey to South Asia.
Oftentimes they contain messages placed inside by people of these many
countries,. Their messages address universal hopes, dreams and earned
wisdom. I also lead Secret Future Workshops, guiding participants in the
creation of their own secret boxes. Through guided imagery and journaling,
workshop members unfurl and clarify their life stories, and give shape to
their futures.
In printmaking, I create monoprints (one-of-a-kind prints) using the collage
technique, Chine colle (Chinese glued). The collage papers are hand-made,
pre-inked and hand-painted. My dimensional printing plates create a rich
texture onto the prints. These plates are inked individually for each print.
The images and collage papers are placed on the plate where they fuse to
the printmaking paper as the plate and paper roll through the etching press.
Images in these art works are culled from Indian and Turkish miniature
painting; South Asian Folk Art; Korean Lore and Legend; Hebrew
Illuminated Manuscripts; Medieval Manuscripts; The Renaissance; Russian
Icons; Greek Mythology; 19th Century Women Writers, Educators and
Feminist Activists; Afro-Americans; Native American history; and
American Landscapes.
And, there's more..
tel/fax 203-438-4650
suzanne@suzannemasks.com
www.suzannemasksglobal.blogspot.com
faceted art for over 30 years in 29 countries. A trans-culturalist and
feminist pioneer based in the States, her venues stretch from New York
City to villages in remote parts of Africa, India, and Nepal, and to
philosophy and education portals from Calcutta to Cambridge. A former
Fulbright Scholar (India), and recipient of many grants, artist residencies
and hostings by the cultural arm of US Embassies, she's traveled worldwide
since 1976, sharing her work in Bali, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Bulgaria,
Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Holland,
India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.
Beyond exhibiting widely (150 solo shows and representation in museum
and private collections worldwide), Benton a highly recognized metal mask
maker and mask performance artist, printmaker, painter, lecturer, and
workshop leader. Author of The Art of Welded Sculpture and numerous
articles, she is and has been listed in among others, Who’s Who in America;
Who’s Who in American Art; and Feminists Who Changed America 1963-
1975, Edited by Barbara Love
Artist Statement
Believing that the purpose of art is to explore humanity and that art comes
alive as it relates to people's lives, my art draws upon multicultural themes
and engages the participation of others. I consider my work to be a bridge
between cultures. Drawn to diverse themes steeped in myth, ritual and
archetype, the metier of metal sculptured masks has inspired me to create
art around the world, studying myths and masking and infusing my work
with this rich material.
As a performance and a visual artist, my transcultural tales, myths and
legends are portrayed through the steel and bronze masks I've created here
and abroad. I also teach people of all ages and backgrounds in school and
community settings to create their own masks and lead them in mask
storytelling.
Beyond mask and metal, I've created 17 Secret Future Works, mixed
media sculptures with locked interiors to be opened at a set time in the
future. The unseen, presented within the context of art is meant to challenge
us to consider our personal and global futures. Several opened on
auspicious occasions. Others, created in India, Bangladesh, Ireland, Kenya,
Tanzania, and the States will open in the future. One such was opened in
January 2011 prior to a ten week art working journey to South Asia.
Oftentimes they contain messages placed inside by people of these many
countries,. Their messages address universal hopes, dreams and earned
wisdom. I also lead Secret Future Workshops, guiding participants in the
creation of their own secret boxes. Through guided imagery and journaling,
workshop members unfurl and clarify their life stories, and give shape to
their futures.
In printmaking, I create monoprints (one-of-a-kind prints) using the collage
technique, Chine colle (Chinese glued). The collage papers are hand-made,
pre-inked and hand-painted. My dimensional printing plates create a rich
texture onto the prints. These plates are inked individually for each print.
The images and collage papers are placed on the plate where they fuse to
the printmaking paper as the plate and paper roll through the etching press.
Images in these art works are culled from Indian and Turkish miniature
painting; South Asian Folk Art; Korean Lore and Legend; Hebrew
Illuminated Manuscripts; Medieval Manuscripts; The Renaissance; Russian
Icons; Greek Mythology; 19th Century Women Writers, Educators and
Feminist Activists; Afro-Americans; Native American history; and
American Landscapes.
And, there's more..
tel/fax 203-438-4650
suzanne@suzannemasks.com
www.suzannemasksglobal.blogspot.com
| Suzanne Benton . Sculptor . Mask Performer . Printmaker . Painter |
Krishna, acrylic and pastel, 24x18 inches
Krishna, welded steel, 10 x 6 5/8 x 4 inches
Suzanne Benton performing, Chitrangoda mask tale
| Ireland Secret Future Work mixed media, 17 x 11 x 13 inches |
Petals, monoprint with Chine collé, 8 ½ x 11 inches
Juggler, monoprint with Chine collé, 27 ¾ x19 5/8 inches
Dancer, monoprint with Chine collé, 27 5/8 x19 5/8 inches