Susan Stockwell | Sea Markings | Exhibition at Royal Shakespeare Company | Stratford Upon Avon

PACCAR Room and Foyers | Royal Shakespeare Theatre | Until 6 September

Susan Stockwell's exhibition 'Sea-Markings', now open at the RSC, was inspired by the company's summer season productions of Othello and The Merchant of Venice, and draws on the play's themes of trade, identity and diversity.

Comprising of a stunning suspended sail installation, which takes over the public spaces of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and a selection of new artworks combining currency, drawing and maps, the exhibition brings together work created during Susan's time as Artist in Residence at the company. Susan says of the experience:

"Working as Artist in Residence at the RSC is insightful, inspiration and enjoyable. Witnessing the inside workings of the organisation is revealing a very collaborative process, different to the visual artists' practice which tends to be more solitary...It is a great opportunity to push my work further and explore Shakespeare's poetry to make new art which I hope will surprise and wonder theatre visitors"

Susan Stockwell | World Bank Commission | Royal Shakespeare Company Artist In Residence

 

Susan Stockwell’s The World Bank, which was recently completed as a special commission, is a stunning world map meticulously hand-crafted by the artist using hundreds of individual bank notes. The work exemplifies Susan’s practice of transforming everyday materials into aesthetically beautiful artworks, that also comment on issues of ecology, geo-politics and global commerce.

Among Susan’s next projects is an exciting new residency at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon. She will be developing new work for exhibition at the RSC in April 2015, responding to their Spring 2015 season, which is to include Othello, The Merchant of Venice, and Death of a Salesman. As well as looking at what is taking place on stage, her work will also consider the range of carefully choreographed hidden activity, from costume making to rigging, that exists behind the scenes.

Susan Stockwell | The World Bank, 2014 | Bank notes, paper and glue on back board | 140 x 294 cm