Susan Napack is an artist who, after residing all of her life on the East Coast, is lucky enough to have been transplanted from the suburbs of New York City to Oregon’s gorgeous Willamette Valley. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Philadelphia College of Art (now University of The Arts) in Philadelphia PA, and a Master of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn NY.
Susan’s work springs from a fascination with the mysteries of the natural world which she explores, mostly in the abstract, using materials and processes that range from found objects, to drawing, to digital printing, to needle felting and stitchery — sometimes, all at once.
Early on, even as a painter, photography opened the door to abstraction, with the camera’s ability to isolate geometry, texture, and natural forms. It remains a favorite tool and is the foundation for much of her work.
From early childhood, Susan has been a collector and organizer of objects. Wishbones & orange peels still make their way into her Cabinet of Curiosity inspired installations.
Recently, she has found the need to add texture to images. To achieve that, she prints digital photographs on silk then embellishes them with stitches and sometimes, felting. Her recent image preoccupations have been with the body: hearts, MRI images and X-rays of her own body. Her installations are a conglomeration of media and images that spring from her unique observations and image vocabulary.
Another pre-occupation of late has been with ephemera of her past. From school report cards to close to 20 years of NJ Transit train passes, they represent a life lived. Her installation, Memory Project 1 began as an effort to organize and display these relics of her past. In Memory Project Part 2: Shreds, the artist shredded and transformed letters, datebooks, girl scout badges, sonogram films, and other objects in an effort to re-use and eventually release them.
Susan worked for over 25 years as a Graphic Designer and Art Director in the Consumer Marketing and Promotions Department at Time Inc., the once legendary magazine company. She continues to use her design skills and expertise to offer branding and marketing services. To view samples of her design work, click here.
Susan’s can be seen when Studios at The Mill at The Willamette Heritage Center in Salem Oregon during their Open Studios or by appointment.
In addition to her art and design practice, Susan has always gravitated to community involvement wherever she has lived. In Salem Oregon, she serves as the Vice Chair and Outreach Chair of her Grant Neighborhood Association, and she sits on the Salem Public Art Commission as Vice Chair.