Laura Sussman-Randall
Monsters and Other Dire Consequences
The Monster series is an adjunct series to my primary body of work, American Dream. Combining the medium of drawing with my love for working with fabric, this series provides a periodic respite from both the time commitment and weightier themes of my large works. I have always been drawn to the materials of fiber art, as well as the act of stitching, which holds both meditative and obsessive qualities. The dolls are sewn by hand of scraps from my collection of fabrics, buttons, and embroidery supplies, then posed and photographed for the drawings. Although they tend to expressions of anxiety or frustration, their characters develop organically through the selection of materials as well as the unexpected consequences of stuffing, puckering, etc. For me, the monsters play the role of chorus in the literary sense. They are observers and commentators of the situation at large, but like a chorus, standing outside of it, and employing a healthy sense of humor. The accompanying time lapse videos amplify the emotional content through the addition of audio and the implication of movement and time.
The Monster series is an adjunct series to my primary body of work, American Dream. Combining the medium of drawing with my love for working with fabric, this series provides a periodic respite from both the time commitment and weightier themes of my large works. I have always been drawn to the materials of fiber art, as well as the act of stitching, which holds both meditative and obsessive qualities. The dolls are sewn by hand of scraps from my collection of fabrics, buttons, and embroidery supplies, then posed and photographed for the drawings. Although they tend to expressions of anxiety or frustration, their characters develop organically through the selection of materials as well as the unexpected consequences of stuffing, puckering, etc. For me, the monsters play the role of chorus in the literary sense. They are observers and commentators of the situation at large, but like a chorus, standing outside of it, and employing a healthy sense of humor. The accompanying time lapse videos amplify the emotional content through the addition of audio and the implication of movement and time.
Laura Sussman-Randall was raised in New Jersey where she was exposed to many artistic influences; the art history books and work of her mother, artist Mary Lou Sussman, access to a strong local center for the arts, and proximity to the museums, galleries and art scene of New York City. She graduated University of Michigan with a Bachelor's of Fine Art and Bachelor's of History of Art. She currently lives and works in Mint Hill, NC with husband Mike Randall, and their son, Sam. Ms. Sussman-Randall is an Arts & Science Council 2014 Regional Project Artist Grant recipient and Phoenix Gallery 2017-18 Fellowship recipient. Her work has become a part of private collections in Charlotte, New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Sydney and can be seen at Guthrie Contemporary in New Orleans, LA and Met Contemporary in Rock Hill SC.
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Laura Sussman-Randall
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