Image, courtesy of the artist: detail, The Hand That Feeds, the Hand That Takes, 2026, mixed media on silk and canvas, 117 x 89 inches
Solo exhibition featuring works by Susan Klein.
May 21 – August 27, 2026
Susan Klein’s large painting collages in the round form portals to worlds in which abstract, yet recognizable shapes, and unnamable forms combine into endless storytelling possibilities. Negative spaces and translucent silk and muslin draw the real world of the gallery and people passing by into these imagined spaces. Small ceramic sculptures bring the playful shapes of the paintings into three dimensions. Of this artwork, Klein says, “Like a surrealist game, new meaning arises from the collision of disparate elements. But that meaning shapeshifts and we can’t ever quite pin it down.” This exhibition invites repeat viewing, and new observations to make with each visit.
Artist Lecture & Closing Reception:
When
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Artist Lecture: 5:00 – 6:00 pm CDT
Reception: 6:00 – 7:00 pm CDT
Where
Artist Lecture: 005 Biggin Hall
Reception: Biggin Gallery, 101 Biggin Hall
This event is free and open to the public. 005 Biggin Hall and Biggin Gallery are handicap accessible.
About the Artist
Susan Klein is an artist living in Charleston, SC. Klein received her MFA in 2004 from the University of Oregon, a BFA in 2001 from the University of New Hampshire, and studied art at New York University from 1997-99. Her research has been recognized with many national and international residencies at organizations including the Dunedin School of Art in New Zealand, the Hambidge Center, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, the Wassaic Project, the International Studio & Curatorial Program, Otis College of Art and Design, Ox-Bow, and Arteles Creative Research Center in Finland. Klein’s other honors include a full fellowship to the Vermont Studio Center residency program, and a 2020-2021 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant. Her work has been featured in many national and international group and solo exhibitions. Recent group exhibitions include I Should Have Been a Pair of Ragged Claws at the Wassaic Project (Wassaic, NY), A Window Scrubbed for the Moon at Asya Geisberg Gallery (NYC), and Volcano Lovers at Frontviews, Berlin. Susan Klein is an Associate Professor of Art and Chair of the Department of Studio Art at the College of Charleston.