Archie Bray Visiting Artist
In Susannah Israel's sculptures, mythos manifests when water and earth meet to create beautiful clay forms in joyful, kinetic connection. = - Charles Lee
Carnegie Arts Center
Firing Imagination: Contemporary Ceramics & Glass
"Allegory" (above) was made and installed in 1994 at CSU Bakersfield. It represents the culture & history of the region. As Faith Ringgold famously tells us, the personal is political. I received an award from the 510.0rg for my work, which challenges notions of race, gender and culture. Most importantly, I have been told hundreds of times that people see their own stories in my work.
"Susannah Israel uses color as a vital part of each composition, and is a master at creating work full of imaginative gesture and meaning." Natalie Nelson, Pence Gallery
"I enjoy the absoluteness of Susannah Israel's clay expression."
Kari Christensen, Fletcher Challenge, New Zealand
"Susannah Israel’s “Le Sacre du Printemps,” is vibrantly hot-hued and textured with saturated color spilling from the figure’s hands onto a piano keyboard. The Oakland artist’s intuitive storytelling approach, is translated into three-dimensions."
Lou Fancher
"The creations of award-winning California artist Susannah Israel reflect a deep understanding of our collective past." Deanna Selene
combustus.com/california-clay-artist/
"There is a vast landscape over these pieces that required close attention. Each piece (is) an invitation to a long conversation with the viewer. I wanted to hang out with them, pull up a chair, get to know them and hear stories about them - like I feel when I read a good book." Linda Fahey
http://bigoceanblue.blogspot.com /2011/04/susannah-israel-workshopsolo-exhibition.html
Activist from birth, Susannah Israel is an artist, writer and educator on a mission for truth. Israel's expressive work is widely shown and held in collections around the world. Her allegorical sculptures question assumptions of race, gender and culture. Israel began writing art reviews in 2000 to support and showcase the talent being excluded by galleries and museums. While teaching at Laney College (2001-2018), she advocated fiercely for all students, taking on advising, writing curriculum and serving as chair, even though she was an adjunct with no insurance. Israel earned a BA and MFA from San Francisco State University, and is the only artist ftom the US ever to win the Fletcher Challenge Premier Award. She is a long-term resident of Oakland.
