Artist Statement and Biographical Information (CV)

                                     

Artist Statement

All of my work, two-and three-dimensional, is about patterns of life. Women's lives, above all, form an intricate woven fabric, expressed in sculptures created in traditional feminine craft techniques, sewn, quilted, woven of fiber or reeds, in color combinations that reflect a sense of warmth, joy and celebration, softness and soothing, protective and fortified against invasion. Vibrant Goddesses and protective nests, soft inside and hard and defensive exteriors present differing aspects of psychological and physical safety zones.

Sculptures, then, provide spaces the viewer must experience with all the senses. Their soft interiors, their bursting outer surfaces often imbued with color and stories command the viewer's attention on all levels. Sound and text have become important elements of the interactive sculpture. Ceramic pieces and found objects join fiber, reeds and wire.

Sizes range from two to 5 feet in height, with many a mirror image of the viewer and a number of sculptures larger in scale. The impression is at the same time elegant and imposing. Creation is addressed on a multitude of levels leaving the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions.

Materials continue to vary, fabric dominates smaller pieces, glazed clay components have been added. Abstracted figures symbolizing new life, take the viewer/participant from the experience of works as "toy" into the deeper realm of bonding and healing.

A soft-sculpture series based upon personal Myths (Ammenmärchen-wives tales), continues to include cultures around the globe, each represented in its language of origin. In addition to the use of audio, written elements have become integral elements to the work.

Painting as technique for themes of childhood and immigrant heritage allows incorporation of image and text. Each series of 8-12 images is created for a sight specific solo exhibition . The ongoing series has been inspired by formats of traditional Asian art (scrolls), combining pictures, text and after two major study tours to Asia ( Bangladesh and China) with added textile embellishment.

                                     

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

EDUCATION

2016 Doctorate (magna cum laude) Universität Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany, 
Major: Art, Dept. of Humanities (Kunstwissenschaft) 
catalog raisonne of Cuban exile artist (Havana, Paris, Venezuela, Tampa) 

Thesis: “Monograph of the Cuban Artist Tomas Marais (1931–2004)”

1986–1989 Master of Fine Arts: East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, 
Major: Painting, Triple Minor: Textiles (Printing/painting), Mixed-Media Sculpture (handmade paper/ fiber/ installation), Art History (Contemporary, women’s art, regional crafts)
Thesis: “Vessels” (Mixed media sculpture and documentation)

1976–1983 Master of Arts, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität, Bonn, Germany, 
Major: American Language/Literature, Minor Art History
Thesis: “The Women’s Role in the Short Fiction of Joyce Carol Oates”

(U.S. Accreditation B.A./M.A., English as Second Language, Literature (WES))

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2007–present Local Coordinator Training (SARC) Youth Programs, U.S. Department of State 
2006 Graduate, leadership training, Rotary Leadership Institute (3-course program),
(Southeast USA, D6950/6990, Sunshine Division), Clearwater, Florida 2006 Certification, Relocation Assistant/ Language Trainer (German/English),
2006 Certification, Intercultural Trainer, The Interchange Institute, Brooklyne, MA,
USA, Completion “Crossing Cultures with Competence,” Washington, DC
1998 Qualification, legal translations/interpreter, FL translation agencies, law practices,
Specialization in business and legal translations and simultaneous translations 
1984–1985 PhD candidate, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany,
(Asian Art History (research for further art/art history studies in U.S.)

SCHOLARSHIP/EXPERIENCE
ACADEMIC

2003–present  Independent Lecturer, Art History, Fine Arts, (museums/civic organizations) 
2011–2016 Doctoral Candidate, University of Paderborn, Dept. of Humanities, Paderborn, Germany
2004–2014 Instructor Humanities, Art History, St. Petersburg College 
2004–2011 Language/Intercultural Training, relocation assistant, local resource, IOR Instructor 
2004–2010 (German), Language Division Alliance Francaise de Tampa Instructor Humanities, 
2003–2005 Design, English, International Academy of Design & Technology, Tampa, FL
2003 Language/Intercultural training Corporate Training, SPC Corp. Training Center 

2000–present Instructor, Conversational German, Cultural Center for German Language 
1996–2002 Associate Professor, Art (Drawing), German (Program chair), English (ESL), Schiller International University, Dunedin, FL1994–2000 Instructor, Art/Art History (Docent Training), Drawing, Watercolor, Fiber, Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo, FL
1993–2014 Instructor, Drawing, Painting, Illustration, German (adult and youth programs) University of South Florida, Division of Lifelong Learning, Tampa, FL 
1989–1992 Instructor, Art Appreciation, Troy State University in Montgomery, AL 
1989–1992 Instructor, Conversational German, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
1990–1991 Adjunct Assistant Professor, English, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, 1989 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Drawing, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
1989 Instructor, Art Appreciation, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Goldsboro, NC 
1989 Instructor, Art Appreciation, Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, NC
1986 Instructor painting, textiles, drawing, Community Arts Council, Goldsboro, NC 
1984–1985 Instructor German, Adult Education Program, US Army, Heidelberg, Germany 
1984–1985 Instructor interior design, drawing, Department of Adult Education, City of Heidelberg, Germany

ART CRITICISM/WRITING (print/broadcast)

2005–2007 Writer visual arts, performing arts, Tampa Bay Scene, Clearwater, Florida 

2004/5 Writer, Lifestyles Magazine, Orlando, Florida
2001–2005 Writer, art, lifestyle features, Florida World Magazine, Florida/Europe
1998–present German Translation/Narration (voice-over work) of videos to market residential, industrial, and medical products
1998–present Freelance Writer, English/German bilingual language publications (Discover Florida, NA-Wochenpost, Das Fenster)1997–1998 Host, weekly radio show "Global Voices," with international guests and music 1470 AM
1994–present Host/Producer, weekly, German (language) Radio Show/ Culture Mirror (Deutsche Funksendung –Kulturspiegel)
1994 Freelance art critic, Art Papers, Atlanta, GA
1994–1996 Freelance art critic/ columnist Sarasota Arts Review, Sarasota, FL 
1992–1996Freelance writer (features, arts) Tampa Tribune, Tampa, FL
1993–1996Arts and Entertainment Editor/art critic Hyde Park Metro, Tampa, FL 
1992–1993 Art Critic/ Visual Arts Columnist, Creative Loafing, Tampa, FL

PUBLIC RELATIONS
2003-present Publicity (social media, Facebook, newsletters, blog content, website administration, production marketing materials: brochures, PowerPoint presentations) Rotary D6950 district and club committees

1998-present All aspects of production, hosting, publicity, marketing for Kulturspiegel /Culture Mirror – Deutsche Funksendung (website content, audio production of blog/podcast content) 
1986–1987 Gallery Graduate Assistant, Gray Art Gallery, East Carolina University
All aspects of publicity, press contacts, exhibition program/event coordination

LANGUAGES German (native), English (accent-free, fluent), (conversational) French, Spanish (reading comprehension)

AWARDS/GRANTS
2023 Merit Award, Sculpture, PAVA Members Exhibition, Dunedin (250.-) 
2015/16 District Governor’s Citation Award as District Alumni Chair
2014/15 Rotary International Foundation Zone 34 Alumni Service to Humanity Award
2013/14 District Governor’s “District 6950 Rotarian of the Year” Award
2012/13 District Governor’s Citation Award as District Alumni Chair
2011/12 Rotary E-Club of SE USA & Caribbean “Rotarian of the Year”Award 
2007 Study trip to Salt Lake City (Sponsor Rotary International)
2006 International Cultural/Vocational (GSE) Study Exchange, Study of Arts in
Bangladesh, team leader (Sponsor Rotary International District 6950) 
2005/6 Rotary International Foundation Service Award
2005/6 District Governor’s Recognition Award as District Alumni Committee Chair 
2005/6 District Governor’s Recognition Award as Group Study Exchange Team Leader to Bangladesh
2006 Rotary International Foundation Paul Harris Fellowship Award
2005 Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange scholarship (Team leader of
all-women team on 1-month cultural/vocational exchange to Bangladesh) 
2003 Honorable Mention, Concorso Rapido Dunedin Art Center, Dunedin, FL 
2002 International Cultural/Vocational (GSE) Study Exchange, Study of Arts in Eastern Germany (Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Bayreuth, Chemnitz, Regensburg), team member (Sponsor Rotary International District 6950) 
2002 Honorable Mention Surface Design Guild Show, Beach Art Center, St.Pete Beach, FL
2001 HonorableMention Surface DesignGuild Show, Beach Art Center, St.Pete Beach, FL

“Diversity!”International Juried Exhibition of Studio Art Quilts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.Juried by Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, Center for Japanese Studies, University of California, Berkeley
Merit Award, Sculpture, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, ($1000.-) 
Emerging Artist Grant, Arts Council of Hillsborough County ($1000.-) 
Graduate Scholarship, ECU Graduate Scholarship Fund

MEMBERSHIPS: 

North Suncoast Associates, Clearwater, FL

Cercle Francais de Pinellas, Pinellas, FL

Las Damas de Arte, Tampa,FL
Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, FL
Internations, Inc.
Rotary E-Club Southeast USA & Caribbean, D6950, West Florida, (President 2013-14)
District Alumni Chair, 2004-2006, 2012-16, Alumni committee Speakers Bureau founder/coordinator,
District Youth Exchange Chair, Deputy Chair Pinellas County, Rotary Youth Exchange Intercultural Trainer/ Outbound Recruiter,
PAVA (Professional Association of Visual Artists), Tampa Bay, FL 
Cultural Center for German Language (President 1996–present), Tampa, FL 

Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL 
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.

INTERNATIONAL:

Doctoral research in Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands), university lectures/presentations
China educational 1-month travel (for college humanities instruction) Team leader, cultural/vocational Rotary Foundation Group Study Cultural and vocational exchange to Bangladesh (1-month travel/host family stay) Team member of cultural/vocational Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange to Germany (RI District 1880)
Annual educational study/research in Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland) to visit arts/architecture/events as research and to present current developments in lectures and educational context
Cuban Arts in the 20/21st Century
Cuban Artist Tomas Marais: Migration, Metamorphosis, and Masquerade, Leepa Rattner Museum, Tarpon Springs, FL
Bangladesh, a Cultural Experience
Intercultural Communications – A Study, Florida Literacy Council

JURIED EXHIBITIONS

2023 Merit Award, Sculpture, PAVA Members Exhibition, Dunedin, FL ( Judge: Christine Renc-Carter, Director Leepa-Rattner Museum, Tarpon Springs, FL)
1998 Merit Award, Sculpture, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa, FL (Judge: Thelma    Golden,  Curator & Director of Branches, Whitney Museum of American Art, NewYork City, NY.)
1992 Second Prize in Fiber, SAC’s Gallery, Montgomery, AL1991 BEST OF SHOW, The 1991 Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition,
Montgomery, AL
1991 Honorable Mention, The 1991 Montgomery Art Guild Museum
Exhibition, Montgomery, AL. (Juror: Xenia Zed, Assistant Dean,
Atlanta College of Art)
1989 National Spinning Award, Beaufort County Arts Council Annual Arts
Show, Washington, NC.
1989 Honorable Mention in Sculpture, Rocky Mount 32nd Annual Outdoor
Art Show, Rocky Mount Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC.
1988 1st Prize in Textural Art & National Spinning Award Beaufort County
Arts Council Annual Arts Show, Washington, NC. Juried by: Sallie
Middleton, Ashville, NC
1988 Honorable Mention in Painting, Rocky Mount 31st Annual Outdoor Art
Show, Rocky Mount Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC.
1987 1st Prize in Watercolor, Annual Art Competition, Community Council
for the Arts, Kinston, NC. (Juror: Houston Paschal, Curator North
Carolina Museum of Art)
1987 1st Prize in Textural Arts, Beaufort County Arts Council Annual Arts
Show, Washington, N. C. (Juror: artist Barclay Sheaks, Virginia)
1987 Honorable Mention in Watercolor, Rocky Mount 30th Annual Outdoor
Art Show Rocky Mount Arts Center. (Juror: Robert B. Dance, Winston-
Salem, NC)
1986 1st Prize in Textural Arts, Beaufort County Arts Council 1986 Fine Arts
Show, Washington, NC (Juror: Clint Carter, Watercolor/acryllic artist,
representative of Windsor Newton)
1986 1st Prize in Fiber, 3rd Place in Watercolor. Wilson Active Artists
Association Annual Spring Art Show.(Juror: Mary Ann Pennignton, Executive Director, Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, NC)

REPRESENTATION: www.pava-artists.org/Nielsen , www.susannenielsenarts.blogspot.com,

 

COLLECTIONS

Bauer Dentistry, Tampa, FL
Jung Winery, Ruedesheim, Germany
Craft for the Senses Collection, Cummer Gallery, Jacksonville
Vinyl Details, Inc. Montgomery, AL
National Library, Reykjavik, Iceland (MA, MFA Thesis documentation) 
GSK - GlaxoSmithKline, Greenville, NC

Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville, NC Associated Artists, Winston-Salem, NC
GRANTS/AWARDS
2008 International Study (4 weeks) arts and culture of China,
2007 Study trip to Salt Lake City (Sponsor Rotary International)
2006 International Cultural/Vocational (GSE) Study Exchange, Study of Arts in
Bangladesh, team leader (Sponsor Rotary International District 6950) 2002 International Cultural/Vocational (GSE) Study of Arts in Eastern Germany
(Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Bayreuth, Chemnitz, Regensburg), team member (Sponsor Rotary International District 6950)
1994 Emerging Artist Grant, Arts Council of Hillsborough County ($1000.-) 1988 East Carolina University Graduate Fund grant

DOCUMENTATION

"Die Kleider Meiner Mutter" Elke Elbern, General Anzeiger, Bonn, Mai 2021

“Susanne Nielsen über den kubanischen Künstler Tomas Marais,” Paderborner Universitätszeitschrift, Paderborn, Germany, 1-2016“Podcast offers Germans in Tampa a slice of home, The Tampa Tribune, September 6, 2015
“Deutsch-Amerikanische Künstlerin stellt aus”, Nordamerikanische Wochenpost, 2015
“Die Wiesbadenerin Susanne Nielsen versorgt in ihrer "German Radio Show" halb Florida mit allerlei deutschen Geschichten,” Wiesbadener Kurier, January 9, 2015
“Deutsch-Amerikanische Kuenstlerin stellt aus”, Nordamerikanische Wochenpost, 2012
“Von der Weser nach Florida: Schaumburger Braut baut Brücke,” Schaumburger Zeitung.de, April 13.2012
“Rintelner Tracht für Fahnenumzug im heißen Florida, Radioreporterin weiter auf Spurensuche,” Schaumburger Zeitung.de, February 2.2012 ”In Florida Daheim, in der Welt zuhause”, Floridasunmagazine.com, March 9, 2012
“Fast so schön wie Nachtisch...Die Künstlerin Susanne Nielsen ist eine Wanderin zwischen zwei Welten/Viele Motive findet sie auf ihren Reisen, Wiesbadener Kurier-Wiesbadener Tagblatt, October 14, 2010 “Spurensuche in Rinteln fuer “German Radio” in Florida, Schaumburger Zeitung.de, August 17, 2010
“Exhibit spells out Love for Mothers,”Tampa Tribune, May 10, 2009 “Werke v. Susanne Nielsen im deutschen Generalkonsulat Miami zu sehen, Nordamerikanische Wochenpost, Februar 2007
“Deutsches Generalkonsulat v. Miami, FL: Ausstellung Susanne Nielsen,” Das Fenster, April 2007

“Bangladesh Burns Bright in Memories,” South Tampa News, 2/28/07 “Frauen ins Bild gesetzt”, Das Fenster, February 2006
“Sie zeigt uns die 50er Jahre”, Wiesbadener Tageblatt, July 2, 2005 “Sprechen Sie Kultur?” Florida Sun, February 2005
“Vergangenheit fährt durch die Stadt”, Wiesbadener Tageblatt, July 3, 2004 “Textilkunst,”Reisefieber, Florida, August/September 2002On the Ball, over 80 artists put a new spin on the classic Bowling Ball, coll. T.Ramquist/ Kiralinda, authority press, Alpharetta, GA
"Surface Design Guild show," St. Petersburg Times, September 20, 2001 "The art around us," St. Petersburg Times, July 16, 1999
“Deutsche Funksendung unter neuer Leitung, Deutsche Journalistin und Künstlerin Susanne Nielsen übernimmt Gesamtleitung der Deutschen Funksendung,” Reisefieber, Februar/Maerz 1999
"Neue Stimme" erinnert Auswanderer an ihre Sprache/Wiesb.
Künstlerin mit deutschem Kulturprogramm,Wiesbadener Kurier, 8/27/98 "Diversity! Studio Art Quilts, Muscarelle Museum of Art newsletter, summer 1998, College William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
"E Pluribus Art," The Times, St. Petersburg, FL, March 2, 1998 "Instructor Chats Up Art on the Radio," South Tampa News, Oct 23, 1996 "Diversity: Quilts at Arrowmont," Fiberarts: National Magazine of Textiles, Summer 96
"A Wordly, Colorful Force Keeps Bridging Gaps," The Times, 1/21/95 "A Hot Opportunity," The Times, St. Petersburg, FL, August 25, 1995 "Fame Game," The Times, St. Petersburg, FL, June 9, 1995
"A New Wave of Art," The Times, St. Petersburg, FL, May 12, 1995 "Action frees artists' dreams," The Oracle, Tampa, FL, March 1, 1994 "Women's Works," art review, The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC, Jun18, 1993
“Art Gallery provides alternative,”Tampa Tribune, August 13, 1993 "Drawn to be Different," Documentary, Artifice Rex, Alabama Public
Television, April 30, 1992, 8:00 pm.
"Vessels, Guild Exhibition Winner Sees Art in many Facets of Life," The Alabama Journal, January 24, 1991
"Artist's Work Is Receiving Attention," News Argus, August 10, 1988 "Work by Six Artists on View in Greenville Shows," The Daily Reflector, October 25, 1987
"N.C. Art Exhibits Deserve Attention," News Argus, October 18, 1987 "The Arts," News Argus, September 14, 1986
"Seidenmalerei Ausstellung," Rhein Neckar Zeitung, Heidelberg, Germany, December 18, 1984
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Monograph of the Cuban Artist Tomas Marais (1931–2004) (Doctoral dissertation). Göttingen, Germany: Sierke. 2016

Artist interviews, features, Culture Mirror, 1996–present
Concepts of Line and Space, The art of Paul Klee and Lutz Fritsch,” The Arts, Tampa Bay Scene, Dec/Jan 2007
“Physical World: The art of Lynn Davison and Tom Tykwer’s ‘The Perfume’,” The Arts, Tampa Bay Scene, Oct 2006
“Opening Our Eyes to Color: Joseph Albers, ‘Homage to the Square” at the Tampa Museum of Art,” The Arts, Tampa Bay Scene, Nov 2006
What Dreams may come, Croatian Naïve Art on Glass,” The Arts, Tampa Bay Scene, Nov 2006
“Artist of the State Christopher Still, Florida’s History in Paintings,” Florida World, July-September 2004
“Close and very Personal, Chuck Close Prints – Process and Collaboration at the Miami Art Museum,’ Florida World, July-September 2004 “Miami’s Hidden Spiritual Refuge: The Cloisters of the Ancient Spanish Monastery and St. Clairvaux Episcopal Church,” Florida World, April- June 2002
“Salvador Dali: Master of the Surreal – Double Exposure Comes to St. Petersburg,” Florida World Apr-June 2002
“Opera – Stories of Life: Composer and Conductor Anton Coppola, Gentleman of Music,” Florida World Apr–-June 2002
“Master Class: Two Voice Professors in Perfect Harmony, Florida World, Jan-Mar2002
“Tiffany Jewels in Winter Park: The Morse Museum, Florida World, July-Sept. 2001
“The Florida Orchestra, Cultural Treasure on Florida’s Gold Coast,” Florida World, April–June 2001
"Sizzling Sands," Ludwig Schaffrath, Glass Art, Event Magazine, 6/1999 "Man's Best Friend," William Wegman, Event Magazine, January 1999 "Titanic Ausstellung: Erleben Sie das Drama des 20.Jdts hautnah mit," Florida Star, Nov 1997
"International Show of Kimonos -Glorious Wearable Art," Metro, Cover Story, August1996
"Tampa Museum of Art's Planet of the Arts," Metro, Cover Story, 6/1996 “Laurie Anderson, Multi-Media Tour de Force,” Hyde Park Metro, 4/1996
“Direct from Germany, Egyptian Splendors,” Hyde Park Metro, 2/1996 “Glass in Tampa Bay,”Sarasota Arts Review, December 1994
“Artistic Walkabouts (Aboriginal art),” Hyde Park, February 1994 "Susan Batian Gott," review, Art Papers, July/August 1994
"Gallery showcases crafts pioneer", The Tampa Tribune, October 5, 1993 "Homecoming Queen, Tampa Goes Soho: Josette Urso Comes to Town", Creative Loafing, Cover Story, February 28–March 2, 1993
"Vanishing Florida:The Mission of Gracia Bennish", Creative Loafing, Cover Story, November 11–17, 1992

“New York Artist Heide Fasnacht, a Visiting Artist as Inspiration...” Greenville Times, February 3–16,1988
Conwill brought art, talent, thought to ECU, ”The East Carolinian, October 1987
Black Mt.(College) Influence Lingers, The East Carolinian, Sept. 1, 1987 “N.C. Museum honors painter Sir David Wilkie,”The East Carolinian, August 5, 1987