After graduating from Middlesex University in 1976, Susan was employed on the Goldsmiths' Company's Graduate Apprenticeship scheme for a year, working for a large manufacturing jewellery company in London's Hatton Garden. In 1977 she was awarded a New Craftsman grant by the Crafts Council, and set up a workshop in Clerkenwell. Her work has since been exhibited and collected widely, both in Britain and abroad.
In the mid-1980s Susan's interest in the manipulation of metal led her to explore blacksmithing techniques. With help from leading blacksmith Richard Quinnell, and working at his forge in Leatherhead, she created a collection of large-scale sculptures and objects in steel. This work was included in the pioneering show at the Fire and Iron Gallery 'Ironing - The First and Last All Women Blacksmith Show' in 1986 (see article in Crafts Sept/Oct 1986), and later at Sotheby's Sale of 20th Century Ironwork (1991).
Selected r ecent exhibitions include:
2010
'Collect' - represented by Electrum Gallery London.
2009
'Inner Voice' curated by Professor Dorothy Hogg MBE - Contemporary Applied Arts London.
'Creation 11', - Goldsmiths' Hall London.
'Hothouse' - Bluecoat Display Centre Liverpool.
2008
'Drawn Together' (works on paper) with the Princes Drawing School, Shoreditch, London.
'The Pendant Show' - Velvet da Vinci Gallery, San Francisco USA.
2007
‘Collect’ represented by Contemporary Applied Arts - V&A London
2006
‘Loot' - Contemporary British Jewellery - Museum of Arts and Design, New York USA.
2005
‘Collect’ represented by Design Nation - V& A Museum London.
‘Ring Tone’ - Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh.
‘Sofa’ Chicago, USA, represented by Bluecoat Display Centre. Showcase at Contemporary Applied Arts London
For full biographical details please contact Susan May.
