Untamed Art: Susie Ghahremani’s The Wild Life at Giant Robot 2

by Marissa Tinloy

Susie volunteers at a wild life rescue in San Diego, hence the name of her latest exhibit; she sings and strums an impressive array of instruments; enjoys bird-watching and bike riding; and paints for a living. At 28, Susie, a Chicago-native and RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) grad, is a leading lady in the world of painting and creating — creatures, for this month’s exhibit. The Wild Life, Susie’s fifth solo show, is headlining through September 10th at the Giant Robot 2, an eclectic half shop-half cultural center in L.A.’s Westside.

The exhibit’s chill locale—complete with 1cent candy machine and 17-syllable haiku contest—fits perfectly with Susie’s playful, yet thought-provoking, work. With a wall-ful of miniaturized paintings, and a ceiling-ful of colorful, twirling mobiles, Susie’s creations are undeniably cute, but—and this is difficult working with the likes of lambs, squirrels, and chirping birds—at no risk for being cutesy.

The significance of birds at dinner tables, cats in chairs, and dogs tucked in bed? Says Susie: “I conceptualized this show based on my experience [at wildlife rescue here in San Diego], seeing how wild animals adapt to our human interferences and somehow thrive.” Point taken—bird houses, miniaturized human dwellings, are a distinctly “strange accommodation” for untamed creatures.

Next, Susie plans on continuing to fuse eco-friendly art and functional objects, bringing her painting to the everyday. She recently completed a series of Bank of America commercials (check them out: promotions.bankofamerica.com/oncampus/) and is wrapping up illustration projects with Target and T-Mobile. Plus she may go global—plans for a solo show in another country?

To see The Wild Life, and some of Susie’s new products—journals, stickies, and stationary sets by Chronicle Books—visit Giant Robot 2 through September 10th.

2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-445-9276
www.gr2.net

For more about the artist, visit Susie’s website:
www.boygirlparty.com