Visual Arts

skopos

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About

Susie Althorp’s artistic practice explores the intersection of art, science, and technology in the natural world. Captivated by the immensity of the ocean and the delicate ecosystems contained within, her work interrogates our relationship with nature through both scientific and sensory lenses. From the seaweed collected in the intertidal zone to the microscopic intricacies of drifting algae, her investigations evoke a sublime tension, where awe meets unease.

Central to her practice is research of historical viewing instruments and engagement with contemporary viewing devices in the herbarium, tools that have shaped scientific understanding and, in turn, altered human perception. By deconstructing these instruments, the artist reveals the fragile boundaries between observation, interpretation, and illusion.

Clay, particularly porcelain serves as the primary medium, chosen for its elemental connection to the earth and its dual qualities of strength and fragility. Through experimental studio processes, Althorp transforms biological forms into immersive installations and sculptural works. Translucent porcelain interacts with light to create ephemeral environments, where form, texture, pattern, and shadow invite reflection on the fluid balance of ecosystems and their vulnerabilities.

Image caption: Susie Althorp, planktos (detail), 2025.

Susie Althorp: skopos has been commissioned by Country Arts SA through the 2025 Breaking Ground Award, presented in partnership with SALA Festival and Praxis Artspace

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