New+Zealand+Printmaking+Artist+Susan+Haywood+Smith
 

I learned to printmake at Auckland Society of Arts and Warringah Printmakers Studio (WPS) in Sydney. At WPS I was privileged to learn from Australian Printmakers Jan Melville, Anthea Boesenberg and Sandra Williams. They taught me safer printmaking practises such as Solarplate Etching and guided me on exhibiting. After exhibiting extensively, I ranged my artwork in Australian and New Zealand galleries and design stores.

My artwork has incorporated strong historical themes such as a series based on the Treaty of Waitangi. This reflects my interest and previous studies undertaken in Social History. On a subconscious level the subject matter of my artwork has also been a direct reflection of my own personal history. This derived from my experience of being a Pakeha raised in South Auckland. With no link to my Irish/English heritage to make reference to, I embraced the wonderfully rich cultures of the Maori and Pacific Islanders around me. This was reinforced by my family ties to the Te Arawa Iwi.

Today, I am still reconciling the two worlds of my British lineage alongside my experience of Maoridom, and have yet to determine the point of intersection at which I am placed. However my art allows me to work through this dichotomy from which I hope to create powerful and moving artwork.