Works by Susan Arena, a Los Angeles based artist, offer powerful explorations of women in myth and folklore. Her bold and expressive works on paper offer representational meditations on aspects of permanence and impermanence, speculating on the enduring presence that women archetypes have held over time throughout global cultures. The artist seeks to examine the power of the female body and its potential loss, whilst highlighting the valor demonstrated by female warriors, artists, and mothers. She aims to explore how women are frequently viewed solely as physical entities, leading to a diminution of their identity. Furthermore, the artist notes the presence of multiple, well-established paths for men through popular culture, literature, and art, while acknowledging a dearth of similar narrative arcs for women.

To address this discrepancy, the artist embarks on a search for models that can serve to inspire and uplift women. These models are sourced from myths, history, and culture and represent potent mother figures that have been lost. Sometimes, this search for inspiration is personal. Susan Arena’s work is focused on the intricacies of the female experience and its relationship to the human experience. It is the artist's belief that disregarding the feminine, Mother Earth, and the Mother as a species can lead to significant danger. The artist's recent work is inspired by the history of art, paper dolls, coloring books, and family photos. While the stories they convey are vital, the artwork's essence lies in the exploration of drawing, color, and form. The artist desires that each piece is imbued with a personal touch, remaining lively and open, allowing the viewer to enter and project themselves. The artist chooses to utilize water-based media such as watercolor, ink, and acrylic on paper to maintain the freedom to improvise, add, subtract, and tear. While each piece has its own distinct identity, together, they weave a more extensive and intricate tale of the lost mothers.

Selected Artworks