Born into a family of fashion designers, Susan Kadish was introduced to form and aesthetics at an early age. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kadish discovered that her true passion lay in sculpting marble, clay, and metal rather than working with fabric or creating wearable art. She developed her alabaster and marble sculpting techniques in Italy and her Long Island studio, more recently shifting to clay.

 

With the transition in medium came a shift to new influences. Kadish began exploring saggar and raku firing techniques, incorporating metal, horsehair, beads, and rope into her work. Kadish sees her sculptures as a synthesis of ancient cultures paired with a New York influence. “I believe that these multifaceted influences are like nutritious offerings,” Kadish says, “enabling me to explore my own art and find my voice, my center.” Kadish’s experience with traditional firing methods has led to elegantly patterned ceramics in gorgeous, understated tones. “My life is my art,” Kadish says. “The life of creativity in the materials I find from earth, sun, and fire—the nature of life.”