Susan Erony Talk

Gloucester-based artist, lecturer, and sometime curator Susan Erony attended Rhode Island School of Design, Massachusetts College of Art, Lesley University and the University for Humanistic Studies in Utrecht, Holland. Her artwork has focused primarily on history and the human condition and her lectures on the intersection of art and society. Erony has consulted to organizations on the issues of art and society, taught and lectured on both art history and art practice, and organized exhibitions on subjects ranging from the use of artistic devices in creating prejudice to those showcasing the work of one artist. Erony has exhibited extensively and has work in private and public collections in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Many people are familiar with the magnificent Medieval European illuminated manuscripts of Christian tradition. Most think of these beautiful objects as decorated texts, but in other traditions comparable combinations are considered paintings. Throughout art history, words appear in works of visual art. With the turning of the twentieth century in the West, artists began to explore the relationship in new ways, and artistic doors have been opening since. From the Futurists through the Dadaists and Surrealists to Conceptual artists and Graffiti artists of the last third of the 20th century, and up until today, words keep entering visual art.

Gloucester artist Susan Erony will present an illustrated talk on word and art in the 20th century with the goal of providing some understanding of the fascinating history and the challenges to the visual artist working with text.

This project was made possible by the Society for the Encouragement for the Arts Partner With an Artist Program with support from the Bruce J. Anderson and the Selma and Andrew Bayness Funds of the Boston Foundation.