“A successful painting becomes complete in its sharing.”
Susan Zatt: The Alchemy of Nature in Abstract Expressionism
In Susan Zatt’s work, the boundaries between nature and abstraction dissolve into a dynamic visual narrative that speaks to the elemental forces of the earth. Exhibited in spaces like Artifact Projects, her art integrates organic materials directly onto flat, textured surfaces, creating compositions that suggest both a literal and metaphorical horizon. The introduction of materials such as sand and shells transforms the painted surface into a tactile experience, where what hovers above becomes an undifferentiated expanse, an infinite space open to interpretation. Zatt’s practice straddles a delicate balance between illusion and reality, where the tangible weight of her raw materials challenges the ethereal, creating a tension that echoes the forces of nature.
Zatt’s use of these natural elements is more than a mere aesthetic choice—it becomes a profound exploration of transformation. The layers of earthen substances evoke themes of time, change, and flux. Through her process, she investigates the passage of time and its role in the ever-evolving relationship between humans and their environment. The horizon line, both real and imagined in her works, becomes a symbol of possibility—stretching endlessly into the future, yet always grounded in the physicality of the present. Her mastery of the iconoclastic, where traditional forms are dismantled and rebuilt, allows her to challenge perceptions of communication, creating pieces that invite endless reflection without the constraints of a fixed narrative.
This marriage of the organic and the abstract defines Zatt’s oeuvre. Her paintings embody a sense of drama where nature’s placidity is held within the turbulent brushstrokes of her painterly bravado. The resulting works are not just visually striking but engage with a deeper sensory experience, offering a visceral connection to the earth while celebrating the fluidity of abstraction.
Susan Zatt: A Symphony of Texture and Color
Susan Zatt’s mastery of abstraction shines through in her seamless fusion of gesture, texture, and color to create a distinct visual language. While her work aligns with the principles of abstract expressionism—known for its spontaneity and emotional intensity—Zatt’s approach is uniquely her own. The sweeping, dynamic brushstrokes in her paintings evoke a raw, visceral energy, reminiscent of the bold physicality seen in the works of artists like Jackson Pollock. Her dramatic use of color, often emphasizing blacks, whites, and reds, imbues her pieces with an emotional depth that captures the intensity of the human experience. Each stroke reflects a deliberate engagement with the canvas, aimed at expressing emotion as much as creating a visual impact.
While not explicitly citing particular influences, Zatt’s work evokes parallels with the atmospheric depth of color field painters such as Mark Rothko and the textured abstractions of Gerhard Richter. This interplay between expressive chaos and meditative calm creates a balance that draws viewers into her world, oscillating between moments of emotional upheaval and serene contemplation. Her signature style is further enhanced by her manipulation of texture and color, where thick impastos and sculptural layers of paint lend a tactile dimension, encouraging viewers not just to observe but to connect on a sensory level.
What distinguishes Zatt’s work is her nuanced use of color to evoke emotional landscapes. While her brushstrokes are intense and unrestrained, there is a meditative quality in her use of color—soft turquoise, ethereal whites, and warm golden hues that echo the serenity of nature. These elements come together in a powerful fusion of movement and stillness, creating a dynamic tension that allows her work to transcend the visual and become an emotional journey for the viewer.
The Tension Between Nature and Abstraction
Zatt’s abstract landscapes introduce a new dimension to her work, where the elements of nature and the cosmos converge in a symphony of color and form. These pieces, inspired by natural phenomena like oceans and skies, retain an abstract quality while hinting at the forms and rhythms of the environment. The swirling hues of turquoise and white evoke turbulent waters or stormy skies, while the warm golds and yellows suggest the golden light of dawn or dusk. These atmospheric qualities, though abstracted, give the viewer a sense of place—a landscape both familiar and dreamlike, grounded yet otherworldly.
Her landscapes are deeply atmospheric, yet they resist being tied down to specific geographies or moments in time. Instead, they serve as meditative reflections on the forces of nature and the passage of time. Through her abstract interpretations, Zatt invites viewers to engage with the emotional resonance of nature, rather than its literal representation. This abstraction creates a space for the viewer to project their interpretations, allowing for a deeply personal engagement with the work. Her pieces evoke a sense of timelessness, as if suspended between moments of creation and dissolution.
Zatt’s ability to create tension between structure and spontaneity is evident in her landscape-inspired abstractions. The interplay of color, texture, and form mimics the natural world’s delicate balance between chaos and order, mirroring the cycles of life and nature. The works convey a duality—a simultaneous invitation to contemplate the serene beauty of nature while recognizing its unpredictable, sometimes destructive, power. This tension becomes the core of her artistic expression, as Zatt explores the liminal spaces between the real and the abstract, the chaotic and the calm.
Susan Zatt: Pushing the Boundaries of Abstraction
As a professional artist whose career spans decades, Susan Zatt’s work continues to push the boundaries of abstraction, merging the traditions of art history with her innovative approach. Influenced by iconic artists like Willem de Kooning and J.M.W. Turner, she draws from the past while forging her path, using abstraction as a tool to communicate complex emotional and sensory experiences. Her approach to painting is not merely about visual representation but about creating an immersive world where texture, color, and gesture interact in harmony.
In her most developed works, Zatt achieves a delicate balance between materiality and abstraction. The physicality of her chosen materials—whether paint, sand, or shells—becomes subsumed within the larger pictorial whole, where texture and color play off one another to create a unified composition. This approach allows Zatt to push the boundaries of what painting can achieve, offering viewers an experience that is as much about touch as it is about sight. Her works are not static objects but living, breathing entities that invite interaction and reflection.
Zatt’s impact on the contemporary art world is profound, with exhibitions at prestigious venues such as Art Basel Miami and the New York Art Expo. Her ability to bridge the gap between abstract expressionism and environmental engagement has earned her widespread acclaim, with her work resonating with both art enthusiasts and collectors alike. As she continues to evolve her practice, Zatt remains committed to pushing the boundaries of abstraction, using her art as a platform for exploring the emotional and sensory potential of paint.
