Susan Rivers
Art that explores and portrays the contradictions of modern life
My photographs and mixed media explore the complicated interplay of pain and healing; the social and psychic wounds of modern life intersecting with moments of beauty that restore and nourish us.
Rage and hatred are threatening basic human rights around the globe, particularly for the weakest and most vulnerable. Amid this upheaval, I have photographed events and people bravely striving to heal the economic, racial and social injustices that foster so much suffering.
Through use of color, contrast, and texture I create mixed-media abstracts and digital photography to capture the grit and glow of everyday life. With continual experimentation and discovery, my works exhibit a wide range of styles.
Yet, all are driven by a common theme: Creative truth must embrace both the harmony and discord of our unpredictable existence.
Photo above by Christopher Collyn
A Lifetime of Exploration
Susan is a former Wall Street Journal editor and corporate communicator, who has lived and worked in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
In addition to her work in journalism and communications, she has produced freelance photographs and/or writing for The Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and Saudi Aramco World, among other publications.
After moving to Richmond in 2019 she turned her energy and focus to creating art. She has exhibited her photography and mixed media work with Art for the Journey, Artworks, Artspace Gallery, 1708 Gallery, the Boyd Realty Gallery, the FemLens online gallery, Montpelier Center for Education and Arts, and Pine Camp Cultural Center. She is an artist member of Artspace and a charter member of the Richmond Photographers Collective of Richmond, VA. She is also a member of 2nd Street Gallery in Charlottesville, VA.
Her first solo show at the invitation of 1708 Gallery in Richmond is currently open through September 22 at the Linden Row Inn.
Her works are on display at Artspace and will also be available at the First Unitarian Universalist gallery in October.