Susan Beallor-Snyder creates complex rope sculptures that invite the viewer to discover hidden worlds. To see more of her work, please visit her website.
Born and raised in New York City, I have been an artist my entire life. My first love was, and still is, photography. Photographing life on the streets is one of my favorite things; capturing the essence of a moment is what inspires me.
I studied at the Museum of Modern Art and the memories of creating art there have stayed with me. In 2000, I started making beaded jewelry with vintage beads from a great aunt who made bags and hats in the 30’s and 40’s. Classes at the 92nd Street Y in New York City led me to study classical goldsmithing. For 14 years, I created one-of-a-kind, handcrafted 22k gold jewelry.
My current body of work consists of sculptures made from natural manila rope. My desire is to express the challenges I have experienced over the past 30 years attempting to create art and preserve my identity as an artist and woman – all the while raising my daughters and living a very busy life as a corporate wife.
I am currently working on self-portraits that express various emotions. The self -portrait pictured here is in response to my experience at Art Basel Miami 2014.
My original inspiration for this body of work came from the emotional aspects of my life and experiences. Inspiration also comes to me from the natural world. Light, shadow, texture, form, and repetitive patterns all play a part in my rope work.
It has been said that my work is like “meditation.” You can lose yourself in each piece exploring the world that I created, or create a story of your own.
The goal for this time in my life is to keep creating art and exhibiting my work in public and corporate settings and museums around the world.
I am also interested in working on large community murals where anyone can be a part of the project, working alongside me as much or as little as they want on a series called “Joining Forces.”
Susan Beallor-Snyder invites you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.