Suellen Jacob

I do not create work that makes a metaphorical statement about the world or myself. Nor do I wish to create confusion or anxiety, or to provoke philosophical thought. The intention of my artwork is to express the beauty of animals. I replicate and amplify this inherent beauty through carefully constructed reproductions in order to make it more accessible. For me, the descriptive is more important than the expressive, and the factual more than the fantastic. Each animal can be characterized by precise details that set it apart from another. I find these details in fur patterns and in gradations of colors, in the proportions of the body and the shapes of the snout and the ear and the toes. By accurately representing these features I hope to share, or even induce in others, my affection for animal forms.

In order to faithfully recreate animal structure and color, I have chosen a near-life-size sculptural approach with bisque-fired stoneware clay and acrylic paints. Within these media I place a high value on precise execution because refinement is necessary for effective communication, as well as being a form of beauty in its own right. My specific subject matter is small mammal species that we rarely see, such as bats and mice, because to experience them is a treat. I hope to demonstrate that these animals that are often feared are in fact quite fascinating and beautiful.