Susan Plum: Soul Retrieval

Deborah Colton Gallery is pleased to present Soul Retrieval, a solo exhibition of multimedia works from international artist Susan Plum.  Opening reception Saturday, September 12, from 6pm to 8pm.  Exhibition on view through October 31.

This exhibition marks Plum’s first solo exhibition in the Deborah Colton Gallery and features works on paper, inkjet prints and sculpture all speaking to the premise of soul retrieval.

Art historian, museum director, curator and author Jim Edwards writes of Plum’s work: “Plum’s art is conceptually and physically complex. It has been informed by years of study and work, as well as travel to India, Nepal, Thailand [and her time spent in Mexico] … What she has achieved in her art so eloquently is the beauty and mystery of nature. Plum’s [artworks] are metaphors for the complexities and seamlessness of the world.”

Of the works presented in Soul Retrieval, Plum writes: “The works… represent an ancient and contemporary perspective of soul retrieval. Shamanism is the practice of reconnecting, healing or bringing balance and harmony to all. For me, the concept of Soul Retrieval has many layers. It isn’t only to retrieve deep memory, fragmented pieces or lost pieces of the soul. Today, the role of the shaman in society is carried out by artists, musicians, scientists, cosmologists, and members of ancient spiritual traditions.

“With all of the complexity in the universe and that thing that connects us all, I believe that the soul retrieval touches every micro and macro existence. We are all evolving and expanding together — it is a universal experience.”

Plum’s drawings represent a cosmic story, while the woven glass represents the infrastructure that connects us all. Glass is a mysterious and alchemical material that combines all of the elements: wind, water, air, earth (silica). “For me,” says Plum, “glass concretizes the invisible.”

About the artist:
Susan Plum was raised in Mexico City and moved to the United States in 1965. She originally trained as a painter but began working with glass after an extended trip to India, Nepal, and Thailand.

While living in Seattle, the mecca for glass, she discovered the technique of “flame working,” using a torch and scientific glass (pyrex) rods, to build her pieces. After several sessions at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, she began to teach there as well as Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina; Corning Museum of Glass Studio, Corning, New York; and Urban Glass, Brooklyn. This technique allows Plum to “draw” spatially. Plum also creates installation and performance art in addition to functional and sculptural work.

Plum has had solo shows at University Art Center Gallery, Houston Baptist University; Houston Arts Alliance Gallery; Project Row Houses, Houston; Station Museum of Contemporary Art, Houston; Field Museum of Science, Chicago; Chicago Cultural Center; Newcomb Gallery, Tulane University, New Orleans; School of Visual Arts, New York; Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles; Museo Universitario del Chopo, UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), Mexico City; El Cubo, Tijuana, Mexico; Bellas Artes, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico; Museo de la Ciudad, Queretaro, Mexico; and National Museum of Wellington, New Zealand.

About the gallery:
Deborah Colton Gallery is founded on being an innovative showcase for ongoing presentation and promotion of strong historical and visionary contemporary artists worldwide, whose diverse practices include painting, works on paper, sculpture, video, photography, performance, conceptual future media and public space installations. The gallery aspires to provide a forum through connecting Texas, national and international artists to make positive change.

Image: Light Weave II (Tejido de Luz II)