Susan Rushforth

Susan Rushforth , born 1953 in Sydney, Australia is a graduate of the Alexander Mackie College of Fine Arts, (COFA), Sydney and holds a Master of Fine Arts, College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, Sydney. In 1990-1991 she studied Japanese Woodblock printing under Tokuriki Tomikichiro and sumi brushwork with Shotei Ibata-San from 1991 -1994 in Kyoto. In 1993 she became a Research Student at Seika University in Kyoto where she studied woodblock printing and paper making under Akira Kurosaki. In 1994, Rushforth was awarded a College of Fine Arts, University of NSW, Faculty Research Project Grant to do research at the Hall of AWA Japanese Handmade Paper at Tokushima, Japan. In 2000 Rushforth participated in an Artist in Residence in collaboration with Primrose Paperwork Papermakers at Arthur Boyd Bundanon Artist Centre.

Rushforth’s recent cloud series are a response to the ever-changing and transient qualities in nature. The cycles in the day and the passing of time is suggested through the experienced phenomena both of day break and evening. The interplay of the elements of the cosmos and the fluid spaces in the atmosphere have been an ongoing inspiration to me. I reflect and draw upon these when I am immersed in nature, especially during my ocean swims at dawn. The ever-changing interplay of the elements and the layers in the atmosphere are reflective of living in our current time of instability, uncertainty and fragility.

Rushforth has held solo shows in Japan and Australia and exhibited in group shows in Australia, Asia, Europe and America. Her work has been included in the permanent collections of the Art Gallery of NSW, Australia, Stanthorpe Art Gallery, Queensland, Australia, Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney, Australia, The International Collection of Graphic Art, Cremona Civic Museum, Italy and at the Printmaking Museum of Douro, Portugal. She has given workshops for various institutions in Sydney. Susan lives and works in Pittwater, north of Sydney, and is inspired by all aspects of nature.