Artist Statement:
Susan Stainman’s interdisciplinary practice centers on embodied moments of intimacy, connection, and interdependence (our interconnectedness). Her ideas stem from her mindfulness practice; she is interested in the small gestures and sensorial moments of life: holding someone’s hand, a touch on the arm, a hug, or a conversation. Her soft sculptures, photography, installations, and events make physical these often overlooked or forgotten moments.
Stainman’s sculptural works encourage us to encounter the world through our senses first rather than our intellect. Her joyful lush colors, textures, and decorative sewing techniques are a lure to draw participants. Her materials reference clothing, that which we cover our bodies in daily. Her feminist perspective on the history of women’s work as producers of domestic materials and carers is evident in the formal and relational aspects of the work. The intimacy of the handmade quality of the making process is echoed in the intimacy of activating the work.
She creates digital photographs to document the physical objects and gesture of activation. These are lasting remnants of the emotions of a momentary interaction. Stainman’s social practice uses conversation as a medium to explore connection and Buddhist principles of interdependence. She creates events and has an ongoing recorded conversation practice. The artist creates situations for people to freely explore expansive ideas like generosity, being at home in the world, utopic experiences, and the creation of an intentional community. The art and practice of mindful conversation: listening, being present, speaking honestly and openly in a supportive and playful way are central to Stainman’s work.
CV:
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2024 Length of a Line, mhPROJECTnyc, New York, NY (forthcoming)
2024 AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (forthcoming)
2023-4 Line and Play, Westminster Conservatory of Music, Princeton, NJ
2022 Duo, Main Window Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
2021 That Moon Language, AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2019 Dream Bird, Hatching the Egg, Point of Contact, Syracuse, NY
2017 Dream Bird, Hatching the Egg, AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2015 It's All in the Flesh, Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA
2014 Color All the Way Through, AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2013 Black and Graze, New York, NY
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2023 Speedo Unlimited International, Parent Company, Brooklyn, NY
2022 Rinse, Lather, and Repeat, lokal_30, Warsaw, Poland
2020 (s)(o)(f)(t)(w)(i)(n)(d)(o)(w)(s), Public Swim and AIR Gallery, New York, NY
2020 Sympoiesis, online exhibition, AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2020 Feminist and Queer Book Fair, AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2019 NADA House, Governors Island, NY
2019 We All Belong, Church of Heavenly Rest, New York, NY
2018 Empathy, Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY
2018 Across the Divide, The Art Museum, SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY
2017 Who Cares, A.I.R. Gallery, Governors Island, NY
2017 Women On The Line, Studio 44, Stockholm, Sweden
2015 Unframed, AIR Gallery, AIR Gallery, NY
2015 Panorama, Christie's, Brooklyn, NY
2014 If These Walls..., AIR Gallery, Governors Island, NY
2014/2013 Wish You Were Here 12/13, AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2014/2013/2012 Christie's Staff Art Show, Christie's, New York, NY
2013 Curate NYC, Staten Island Creative Community, Staten Island, NY
2013 Governors Island Art Fair, New York, NY
FELLOWSHIPS:
2013-2014 A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
RESIDENCIES:
2019 Atlantic Center for the Arts
2017 Jentel
2105/2012 Vermont Studio Center
2017/2015 Virginia Center for the Creative Arts
2013 CAC at Woodside
PUBLICATIONS:
2019 “Dream Bird, Hatching the Egg” catalogue, Point of Contact Gallery
EDUCATION:
2006-2010 Slade School of Fine Art, London, UK, BA Fine Art
2005-2006 Byam Shaw School of Art, London, UK, Foundation Diploma
1998-2002 Brown University, Rhode Island, USA, BA American Civilization