Susan Furneaux

Furneaux’s art practice is a ritual of connection and integration with my environment, the cycle of life and death ever-present. She grows, nurtures, forages and processes her materials blending her art practice and lifestyle. The ebbs and flows of nature are honoured and present in her work. Using both traditional and unexpected natural fibres, and found objects, Furneaux creates finely crafted pieces that discuss the infinite offerings of the boreal forest and peat bogs of the Avalon Peninsula (Newfoundland).

Her body of work reflects her settler ancestors’ tradition of ‘making do’, skilled makers who resourcefully created beautiful work with what was close by. Always prioritizing reciprocal knowledge sharing in her practice, Furneaux sees her art practice as one of constant learning and sharing of craft skills. WIth this intent the work presented in this exhibition discusses human migration across water. Their skills, culture, folklore, ritual and spirituality arrive with each individual to merge with those present on the shore to create new diverse ways of doing, creating and thinking.

The small fishing boats known as dories have come to symbolize our Newfoundland settler fishing rich cultural milieu made up of immigrants primarily from Ireland, England and France; setting off from and coming home to slipways. These slipways are a gateway to the sea. In the fall, dories are hauled up on the slipway to dry land and overturned to keep out the snow. The slipways provide a safe harbour in the winter months, the boats and people of the sea nestled away to tell stories, sing, love and prepare for the next season.

Susan Furneaux has won multiple awards for her embroidery, natural dye and innovative use of natural materials. As a typically bespoke fine craftsperson and artist with a holistic approach, Furneaux’s career and practice are increasingly celebrated in contemporary art spaces. Susan is currently an instructor at the College of the North Atlantic’s Textile & Apparel Design.