Susanna Strati references funereal ritual, Catholic religious performance and devotional objects as a framework for creating new work. The material dimension of her practice extends declining traditional Southern Italian mourning customs through objects.

Susanna Strati Body bier, constructed from communion wafers and series of copper ribs

Ritualising

Needlework + Breath

Ritualising

Threadwork

Needlework + Breath

Ritualising

Susanna Strati In Needlework #2, I use a series of repeated gestures, pins, lead and graphite to explore my grandmother's expression of grief for the loss of my grandfather. In her heartbreak, she made hundreds of dresses from the same pattern – immersing herself in a daily and meditative ritual. She materialised her sadness by driving a treadle Singer sewing machine, and making the same dress over and over again.

To begin the work, I mimic my grandmother's actions – however, sewing through stacks of paper – and perforating each sheet to take thousands of individual steel sewing pins. I use my inherited sewing pins to start the work. My practice is structured – focusing each gesture – hand movement, to communicate sadness. Needlework #2 is fabricated from acrylic, paper, interfacing, lead and silk – heavy and pierced with steel. Its cubic container-like form is used as a metaphor for the body, pain, and sorrow.

Needlework + Breath

Wreath by Susanna Strati, durational commemorative performative installation. Constructed from individual copper stems piercing communion wafers and discs cut from rubbings taken from the cemetery

Wreaths

Crying House

Susanna Strati Votive Gestures

On Line Interactive Jewellery Classes

I am currently teaching Jewellery in a series of On Line Zoom classes at Sydney Community College. The classes are fun and jewellery informative. Please follow the links for enrolling. Jewellery Kits are organised and delivered direct to your door by the by the college and included in the course fee. https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/course/SJHB

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