Susan Cowan

Still Life – New Life

20 - 31 August 2025

Opening Night

Friday 22 August | 6 - 8 pm

G4

After thousands of hours consuming art, sculpture, architecture and fashion design, here and around the world, Susan knew she too wanted to be an artist. She had tried several times throughout her life but found her creativity stifled by the demands of running her business. Leaving the business gave her the chance to try again and she looked for a way to get the creative juices flowing. Photography seemed the natural first step. Learning to really look at the world again.

Susan’s photographic images are an elegy of sorts to her late husband. She uses the household objects they loved, and used in their everyday lives, and reimagines them as sculptural still life. Many are in precarious balance while others show a growing equilibrium and even joy.

After thousands of hours viewing art, sculpture, architecture, textiles and fashion, here and around the world, Susan realised she needed to make art, not just consume it. She looked to photography as a way of opening up her creativity, learning to really look at the world again. She enrolled in an Associate Diploma at Melbourne’s Photography Studies College. 

But more than a step towards finding her creativity, the camera became her medium. Always a fan of the abstract and sculpture, she combines that to create a distinctive approach to still life.

Susan created this folio of ten photographs in her first year of photography study and her third year of widowhood, as an elegy of sorts to her husband and their 32 years of shared life.  

The images show everyday objects from her daily life – each item carefully chosen by the two of them for its beauty, cleverness of design, or simple practicality. Each was used regularly and the visible wear and tear on some is testament to this.

Many of the objects are balanced precariously to reflect how tenuous her new solo life felt. Other compositions show moments of calm and a new equilibrium. The flowers represent remembrance, hope, and potentially joy.

Her friends and family will immediately recognise these household items. Jugs, knives, placemats, a teapot, vases, dishes, kitchen implements, wine cooler, small art objects  – each holding a special meaning or memory.

These precious objects have a new life — as still life. 

Contact
Phone : (03) 9482 3550
mail@redgallery.com.au

Address
157 St Georges Rd
Fitzroy North, Victoria, 3068
Map

How to get here
Tram: Route 11
Stop 21 just north of Edinburgh Gardens

Melway Ref: 30B12
Parking in nearby streets

Bus: 504 (Reid Street)