Nature Spirit is a survey of works that trace an ongoing interest in exploring the qualities of nature through the adoption of the process of traditional Japanese woodblock printing as a discipline.

This process involves layering and expresses a subtlety inherent in the subject of the works, the wood blocks and the natural environment.

Susan is particularly influenced by her local environment of Pittwater, NSW, where she lives and works and experiences the quality and patterns of surrounding nature, the movement of water, its surface, reflectivity, tidal flow, boundaries, edge, memory and change.

Through the process of woodblock, the nature of wood is also expressed and is integral with the image. 



(left) Chiaroscuro IV, 2009, 56x85cm; (right) Fire Shadows, 2009, 41 x 61cm



(left) Flow I, 2009, 67x103cm; (right) Chiaroscuro III, 2009, 56x85cm



(left) Osmosis, 2005, 56x85cm; (right) Flow II, 2009, 67x103cm

All works are woodblock prints and mixed media on hand made Japanese Mulberry paper using water based pigments, except Osmosis which is woodblock print only



SUSAN RUSHFORTH

EDUCATION
1997 Awarded Master of Fine Arts (University of NSW), Sydney, Australia.
1995 National Teaching & Learning Program, Sydney Institute of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
1990-1994 Studied woodblock printmaking and papermaking in Japan.
1991-1993 Research student in printmaking and papermaking, Seika University, Kyoto, Japan.
1990-1991 Studied traditional methods of woodblock printing under Mr.Tokuriki (a Master Woodblock Printer).
1990 RSA Certificate, University of Cambridge - International Examinations.
1977 Post-Grad. Dip. Education, Sydney Teachers College
1976 Dip Art (Alexander Mackie CAE, Sydney)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2009                 
Nature Spirit, Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide

1997                 
Japan Cultural Centre, Sydney, Australia

1994                 
Studio December, Kyoto, Japan

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS (since 1999)

2009
In Paradise; Artists of the Northern Beaches, Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney, NSW.
From Print to Print, Sydney Printmakers, Hardware Gallery, Enmore, Sydney.
Watermarks, Tarrangua, Lovett Bay, Pittwater, NSW

2008
28e Mini Print Internacional De Cadaques, Barcelona, Spain.
Identity. Sydney Printmakers, Atelier Skara, Norway.
Sighting the Whale, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Primrose Paperworks Co-operative.
Ocean to Harbour, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Warringah Printmakers Studio.

2007
Keeping Company, Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Urban Animals, Sydney Printmakers, Impressions on Paper, Canberra, ACT, and Marianne Newman Gallery, Crows Nest, Sydney
Redlands Westpac Art Prize. Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney.

2006 – 2007
45 Years Sydney Printmakers,S.H.Ervin Gallery, Sydney. Tamworth Regional Gallery, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia.

2005                                   
Inspired by Nature, Fred Hutley Hall, North Sydney Council ,Sydney, NSW
Collaboration, Sydney Printmakers Travelling Exhibition; Gosford NSW, Tweed River NSW, Noosa.QLD.

2004                                   
Contemporary Australian Prints from the Collection of the Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney.
Joint Exhibition City Gallery Coffs Harbour , NSW, Australia.

2003
WAA  Mosaic Exhibition, Kyoto, Japan.
Artists at Eryldene, Eryldene Trust, Sydney, Australia.
 Generation, Manly Art Gallery, Manly, Australia.

2002
Beyond the Surface, Sydney Printmakers, UTS Gallery,Sydney.
A Passion for Paper, Primrose Paperworks Co-operative, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney.

2001
21st Mini Print International Cadaques, Spain and touring exhibition.
2nd International Small Engraving Exhibition, Cremona, Italy.                                   
Internationale Exlibriswedstrijd Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
John Caldwell and Friends, Delmar Gallery, Trinity Grammar School, Sydney, Australia.
Printfolio,8th International Works on Paper Fair, Sydney, Australia.
Paper Bound,Papermakers of Victoria, Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Art on Paper, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, Gymea, Australia.
Blue Print, Gallery Lane,Leura, Australia.
Signs and Secrets,Sydney  Printmakers, Port Macquarie Hastings Regional                                     Gallery, NSW, Australia.
The Alumni Prize, Kudos Gallery, UNSW Alumni Association COFA, Sydney, Australia.                                   

2000
Surface Tension,  Sydney Printmakers, Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery and Arts Centre, Sydney , Australia.

1999
'Washi Works,' by  D Stout and S Rushforth, Australian Embassy, Tokyo, Japan.
19th Mini Print International of Cadaques. Barcelona, Spain.
Sydney Printmakers MCA in Chile, South America.
Revelations, Sydney Printmakers, UTS Gallery, Sydney.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2009 Watermarks Open Studios On Pittwater, Woodblock print lecture/ demonstration.
1994-2003 Presented lectures, seminars, workshops at Universities (Sydney, Newcastle, NSW, The National Art School ), TAFE colleges ( Werrington, Hornsby) and print workshops ( Manly Vale Printworkshop, Kurringaii Community College and Shore Grammar School - North Sydney.)
1999 Art teacher: Kids Earth Fund, Sydney, Australia.
1998 Art teacher, Children's Art School, Scotland Island, Sydney.
1978-1990 Secondary Art Teacher, Department of Education NSW, Australia.

RESIDENCY

2000
Artist in Residence in collaboration with Primrose Paperwork Papermakers at The Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Bundanon Artists Centre.
  
PUBLICATIONS

Hemisphere 1979 - Australian Asian Journal -Australian Government Publishing Service for the Commonwealth  Department of Education, ACT.

GRANT

1994.
The University of New South Wales - College of Fine Arts.  Faculty  Research Project
Grant.
Paper  research at the Hall of AWA Japanese Handmade Paper Tokushima Japan.

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS/ACQUISITIONS

Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, Sydney, Australia.
Stanthorpe Art Gallery.  Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia.
International Collection of Graphic Art, Cremona Civic Museum, Italy.
Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney, Australia.