Local artist profile: Susan McMinn

What initially motivated you to become an artist?

I have always been creative and making art since I was young. I wanted to go to art school in Melbourne, but I had to leave school early and start working. I attended art classes after work and on weekends. My journey to starting my art practice was a winding road and I eventually began in 2000 with the completion of VCE and starting a Visual Arts Course in 2003. I have been making and exhibiting art ever since.

Can you describe your artistic style? How did you develop it?

My artistic style is not unlike abstract expressionism. I love the way expressionists such as Monet, Kandinsky and Schiele paint and draw, focusing on subjective emotion and feeling to evoke feeling rather than physical reality. I developed my style through many hours of practice and study working on merging painting with drawing.

How did you develop your interest in war imagery and especially the horse and its role in war?

I became interested in war imagery in 2004 through a study on movement. I was particularly interested in the way the soldiers’ bodies are somewhat distorted in war scenery, caused by having to endure the harsh landscape, and their circumstances. I became interested in the story of the horse in war a few years later, when I read about the Charge of Beersheba and the Light Horse.

Which artists inspire you and why?

As well as the expressionist artists, I am inspired by Matisse, because of the way in which his work depicts movement in painting. I also love the work of Anselm Kiefer, a German painter, whose stunning work portrays the atrocities of WW2.

What have you been working on lately?

I have been experimenting with digital painting and drawing and am trying to develop a commercial art stream. Some of the work is abstract painting with an expressionist style. Once I further develop this work, I intend to start creating paintings inspired by the imagery.

What are some highlights or fond memories you have from your career?

Some of the highlights have been being invited to exhibit at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, alongside works by Sidney Nolan and George Lambert. I was also thrilled to have my animation The Last Warhorse selected to screen in the Melbourne International Animation Festival where it won a Best Animation award and was selected to be shown in London and Europe.

How has your art practice been affected by COVID? Has there been little change or has it had a substantial effect?

2020 was the first time that I have not held an exhibition since 2004. Through COVID I have had to rethink my art practice and look at alternative ways to create and sell art. Since closing my business last year, it has taken me some time to readjust and rethink where I am headed. Many more artists are now creating digital works and exhibiting online which is an option to consider.