Suzanne Clements

How did you get into making art?

I worked in fashion for many years and went to art school but never thought of making art.

My daughter started to paint at school and turned out to be very good. It made me envious and I decided to have a go too.

I started by taking classes in portrait painting and then wanted to evolve things furthur so went on to study, securing an MA Fine Art at City & Guilds School of Art London. This took my practice to a new level and made me see art in a whole new way.

In particular it made me investigate deeply the narratives imbedded in my work.

What are you currently working on?

I have two or three group shows coming up later this year so am busy making new work.

I like to work in series, sometimes for several months. I am currently working on a series based on distortions of the face and female body including some self portraits. In particular I am fixated on hands in this new work. Glossy red nails seek to give the work a sensous feel.

What inspired you to get started on this body of work?

My work is autobiographical and is a response to the turmoil I see inside myself and around me. I use the human body and its limbs as my tools to explore themes of fragility, vulnerability and identity by stretching, distorting and pulling around the body.

Do you work on distinct projects or do you take a broader approach to your practice?

I tend to work on specific projects that I establish in advance but I always keep in mind my bigger picture. I like to walk a line between keeping my work spontaeous and planning it . I’m always trying to navigate between figuration and abstraction and each project for me is an investigation of possibilities, guided by both instinct and determination.

What’s a typical day like in your studio?

A typical day is a mix of so many different tasks and I am easily distracted!

I always have many projects on the go and my focus varies throughout the day.

I plan my projects meticulously and gather extensive research material.

I paint very fast so once I finally mange to start painting I tend to sit and almost thrash out the painting in one sitting. I find it much easier to start a painting than finish. Starting a new painting is very exiting, it is full of possibilities, so this is when I am most excited. Finishing a painting is altogether different. I find it hard to know when a painting is complete and dread overworking a piece. Therefore, I often leave a nearly completed painting for weeks and keep looking at it and coming back to it whilst working on other pieces , before finally finishing the piece.

Who are your favorite artists?

Edvard Munch
Caroline Walker
Jennifer Packer
Eric Fischl
Joseph Yaeger

Where do you go to discover new artists?

I find instagram a great tool for researching and have manged to discover many new artists around the world that way, some of which I came to befriend.

Of course going to galleries, and in particular, those focusing on the work of emerging artists is a great way to keep in touch with the creative community. I also like to visit graduation shows in London as often as I can.