Susan Budge, Texas Sculpture Group

From Pattison, Texas

Artist Statement:

Clay is my primary media.  Technically intensive, it allows for ongoing exploration and discovery. I prefer to work spontaneously in the studio in order to allow subconscious thoughts to surface. This process was employed by the “Surrealists” and has served me well since 1979. References are deciphered to determine meaning and provide a title. “Gold Ribs” incorporates a cutting technique that is challenging and meditative with a figurative reference. “Blue Shaman” pays homage to Native American spirituality and aesthetics which greatly influenced me during my formative years in New Mexico. “Owl” is the most recent inspiration from the sounds of nature where we live in the country. Pass through holes represent eyes and intuitive vision. Kandinsky said, “Everything has a secret soul, which is silent more often than it speaks.” My intent is for my work to reflect appreciation for life’s mysteries.

Artist Biography

Susan Budge (b. 1959) an American sculptor working in clay and bronze with influences from Biomorphism and Surrealism. Budge holds a BFA fromTexas Tech University, MA  from University of Houston Clear Lake, MFA from University of Texas at San Antonio.

Budge’s work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian, the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, the Fuller Craft Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Angelo Museum of Art, the Art Museum at Northern Arizona State University, the Art Museum of South Texas, the New Orleans Museum of Art. Her work has been in hundreds of exhibitions and is in private collections in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Greece. Budge has received numerous public commissions, residencies and awards, including, Artist of the Year for the Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts in 2004, and finalist for Texas State Artist for the Texas Legislature and Texas Commission for the Arts in 2018. Her teaching career began with Artist in Education Grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts in 1988. She was the Department Head of Ceramics at San Antonio College as a tenured professor, earned a NISOD excellence in teaching award and established an endowed ceramics scholarship fund. Budge maintains an active studio practice while teaching private classes.