About the Artist

 



Suzanne Charny’s sculptures are strongly influenced by her life as a dancer and an actress.  She started dancing at a young age and then pursued her passion through the dance department at the High School of Performing Arts in N.Y (a school popularly known by many through the musical “Fame”) where she excelled in modern dance. 


At 16, her love for Broadway led her to be in a production of “West Side Story,” followed by years performing in other shows, including “Sweet Charity” on Broadway with Gwen Verdon and then on to the movie with Shirley MacLaine where Suzanne was the lead dancer in the critically acclaimed number “The Rich Mans Frug” choreographed by Bob Fosse.


She appeared in many variety shows including recurring appearances on the Johnny Carson Show and The Della Reese show.  Her dancing career led her to her acting career where she became known for roles in episodic television as well as movies.  From dance to drama to comedy, her passion for the arts continues.   Recently, she found yet another outlet for her creativity- sculpting.  She draws from her experiences in dance and theater to create her sculptures.  Suzanne uses sculpture to express the joy and sense of exhilaration through form, movement and gesture.  Suzanne uses a variety of media.  She casts the sculptures in bronze, resin with bronze overcast, clear resin, and marble dust and resin. Her work has been displayed at Mouche Gallery in Beverly Hills and Orphic in West Hollywood, and Mixed Expressions Popup Gallery Exhibition.


 
Artist Statement
My stylized sculptures come from an emotional and photographic point of view.  Through my background, I’ve chosen to focus on the emotion and energy of dance.  As a dancer moves, the flow of the movement continues through the body, even when the body stills.  I try to capture that energy within my sculpture.  

My design perspective derives from the view a photographer sees when looking at a human form while laying on the ground and looking towards the head.  The image through the viewfinder would show exaggerated lower limbs with a smaller torso, arms, and head.  As a sculptor, I try to  bring energy to this view through my exaggerated design focus.  The center and power of dance begins with strength - and I show that strength through this exaggeration.

As I work with the clay, I continue to add emotion and feeling to the piece through an emphasis on muscle tone and definition.   My dancing experience allows me to understand the nuances of movement and I’m able to capture those elements within each piece.

My artistic vision began as a child in Brooklyn.   I was blessed to watch my father create sculptures in the sand at Brighton Beach.  He was truly my inspiration.  His larger than life nudes looked as if they were about to step out of the sand and join the crowds.   I try to bring a little of his vision to my own work.  

It is a joy to capture the elements of dance and movement as found in a moment of time.  Be it bronze, resin or ceramic, I continually look for a combination of media and composition that will bring my own visions of dance to life through sculpture.

More info on my creative process and images of me working on my pieces. Creativity_and_Discovery.htmlhttp://my.yahoo.com/shapeimage_2_link_0