The Landscape of Thought

An solo exhibition by Susan Pietsch

Artist Statement

Thomas Merton wrote, “there is always a temptation to diddle around in the contemplative life, making itsy-bitsy statues.” There is always an enormous temptation in all of life to diddle around making itsy-bitsy friends and meals and journeys for itsy-bitsy years on end. It is so self-conscious, so apparently moral, simply to step aside from the gaps where the creeks and winds pour down, saying, I never merited this grace, quite rightly, and then to sulk along the rest of your days on the edge of rage. I won’t have it. The world is wilder than that in all directions, more dangerous and bitter, more extravagant and bright. We are making hay when we should be making whoopee; we are raising tomatoes when we should be raising Cain, or Lazarus. Go up into the gaps. If you can find them; they shift and vanish too. Stalk the gaps. Squeak into a gap in the soil, turn, and unlock-more than a maple- a universe. This is how you spend this afternoon, and tomorrow morning, and tomorrow afternoon. Spend the afternoon. You can’t take it with you.” ? Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Life, landscape, we move through both. As you move through this collection of paintings consider for a moment life, your life. What are the things you have been told? What are the things you have discovered? What things remain hidden? I have often gone into nature to get a “change” of environment, seeking in truth a change of mind. Seeking more…

Out from the safety of group exhibitions, this is my first solo exhibition. A chance to make whoopee, to play with the things that play on my mind. In turn I play with painting, starting with traditional acrylic on canvas, then painting on paper and industrial fabric. Paper cutting (Scherenschnitte) / cutwork adds another dimension – that of time. Time – you can’t take it with you but you can play with it! Enjoy…