Originally from Omagh, Susan is now currently based in Boyle in the west of Ireland where she is a printmaker and copper enamelist. Susan is influenced by landscape and patterns in nature, her work evolving from observed detail captured by sketching, then laying down the image onto the block or copper surface.
"Susan creates intricate thread-like lines and fine textural incisions to create an atmospheric, surreal aesthetic, distilling a sense of place, time and memory." Terry Sweeney, 2015
Susan has exhibited nationally and internationally with her work being held in several public and private collections worldwide. She has been awarded several residencies including The Dock, Cill Rialaig, Valerie Earley Award, Tyrone Guthrie Residency Award and the MI-Lab Mokuhanga six week residency in Japan.
Collaborations with musicians, poets and writers have resulted in album covers, book illustrations and covers. Susan has been commissioned to create work public and private commissions and enjoys working with community groups and demonstrating her artistic practice in studio visits.
Susan has been a member of the Graphic Studio since 2012 and is a former museum curator for Mayo County and Craigavon Borough Councils and teaching assistant at Queen's University, Belfast. Susan studied archaeology, specialising in medieval architecture of the Cistercian and Friary order of Connacht and she has attained BSc, MSSc and PhD and various certificates and diplomas.
Susan was recently announced as the Winner of the 2nd Merrion Plinth Award (Merrion Hotel, Dublin)
Susan Mannion is the second successful artist of this biennial contemporary art prize which was established in 2019 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Merrion Hotel. This prize aims to directly support contemporary artists with a prize fund of €5,000, and the winning work will be on view in the hotel for two years amongst its significant collection of late 19th century and early 20th century Irish and European Art.
Collections:
Private collections in Ireland, United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Australia, USA
Work selected for the Centre for Enamel Art and KVO Industries Collection, USA
Work presented to AJ Wells, England
West Dean College Collection, England
MI-Lab Mokuhanga Print Collection, Japan
Work presented to former President of Ireland Mary McAleese by the Committee of Boyle Arts Festival
Work presented to Guests of Honour by the Committee of Boyle Arts Festival
National Botanic Gardens Collection and Archive, Dublin
Graphic Studio Collection, Dublin
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Art Collection
Tyrone Guthrie Centre Art Collection.