I was so inspired upon first glance of Suzanne Carlsen’s work that I had to photograph and write about it… and eventually own some of  it.  The challenge of ownership is which to choose? It’s all stunning.  The subject matter is fun and quirky.  Her execution is impeccable.  The level of detail is divine.  Suzanne makes these beautiful little pieces completely by hand.  She sews the illustrations and hammers, cuts and files the metal casings by hand to cradle the work.  Take a look.

Not only are these pieces  beautiful to look at, they are also wearable.  As can be seen in the left and center photographs the computer is a brooch that  you can put back up in the framed background scene, when you are not wearing it.  Brilliant.  The crest in the photo on the right has a beautiful pin on top to attach it to your clothing.  I love the heat lamp with the curly cord heating the food; hotdogs and banana splits anyone?

Who is this person who sews with such precision, loves colour, quirky objects and urban scenes?

Suzanne Carlsen grew up in a creative family in Kelowna, British Columbia. Her mother was a sewer, who was always working on a quilt, some clothing for the family or a costume for one of Suzanne’s dance performances. Both of Suzanne’s grandfathers were artists: a painter and a woodworker.  When young Suzanne came home from school she could often be found drawing or rummaging through piles of enticing fabric scraps for her next sewing project.  She was obsessed with fabrics.  Her interest in sewing started early: by the time she was 10 she was cross-stitching and had sewn herself a bag with a full zipper installation. 

Suzanne followed her skill and interest to Toronto’s OCAD  to study textile design, metal work and ceramics.  Toward the end of OCAD she began turning her drawings into stitched lines, eventually to simply stitch images freehand without drawings. 

Check out some of her recent stitching skill:

 
For her thesis Suzanne proposed a theme of nostalgic images and stories.  She decided to use heraldry  and crests to fit with the theme of longing for the past.   Her thesis work resulted in 10 pieces of magnificent wearable jewelry, each with a stitched drawing and a metal component.  The nostalgic scenes included two amusement park scenes, teacups, food oriented images, cakes and desserts.  Another nostalgic project was her telephone-themed collection of old telephones… of course there are no mobile phones in the collection as constant interruption is nothing to long for.

Here are some samples from her  “Alternative Transportation” series which originally included every alternative mode of transportation you could imagine, and some that you wouldn’t.  She also created cuff links and rings depicting various activities, including kite flying and a hot air balloon ride (although she had not been in a hot-air balloon herself, she always dreamed of it).  The images she uses come from a desire to explore and a propensity for questioning the definition of preciousness: what is precious and how do people identify with what is precious?

Suzanne has been busy expanding her collection of enticing objects of stitching and metal and exploring broader themes within similar shapes and forms: crests, medals and medallions.  She has been introducing new themes as of late, toward urban scenes and cityscapes, reflecting her thoughts about the never-ending development that surrounds her during her daily Toronto bicycle commute.

Suzanne’s pieces reflect her thoughts: some have political undertones, while all have an undertone of wit, bordering on sarcasm.  On the backs of each piece Suzanne stitches a title along with the odd secret message and sometimes just her name.  And sometimes the pieces have secret compartments…

Watch for this superstar in the future.

Cross posted on Irene Hoofs’ Bloesem Blog.