Eyes On: Susan Wick

Exhibition Guide

La artista Susan Wick, radicada en Denver y nacida en 1938 en Madison, Wisconsin, crea sus obras alejada de las inhibiciones. Sus atrevidas composiciones inspiran y despiertan la imaginación, pues experimenta con diferentes materiales. Las coloridas paredes de la sala y la insólita ubicación elegida por la artista para sus creaciones evocan su estudio y hogar, el llamado ZWick Place.

Alrededor de 1996, Wick creó obras, como las aquí mostradas, para una suscripción artística mensual que enviaba por correo a sus abonados repartidos por todo el país. Estas fantasiosas y divertidas pinturas ejemplifican, mediante su divulgación, el deseo de Wick de fomentar el sentido de conexión y comunidad.

Desde los años 70, Wick ha creado y acumulado docenas de libros de artista. Algunos contienen pinturas hechas a diario. Otros son temáticos, como uno que comparte los mejores lugares donde encontrar chocolate. A menudo guardados en maletas para que resulte más fácil transportarlos, estas obras de arte contienen un repertorio visual de pájaros, flores, interiores domésticos y figuras humanas que se filtran en otras obras también a la vista. Juntas nos animan a ver el arte en los objetos cotidianos que contemplamos a diario.

Ojos en muestra al público una amplia gama de prácticas, ideas y enfoques, en relación con el diseño de exposiciones, explorados por artistas vivos en momentos cruciales de sus carreras. Los proyectos de la serie están organizados como exposiciones de una sola sala o como instalaciones específicas de lugar.

A menos que se indique lo contrario, todas las obras de arte son de Susan Wick y son cortesía de la artista y de David B. Smith Gallery.

Photograph of a gallery with a bright yellow wall that reads “eyes on” horizontally across the top and “Susan Wick” vertically along the right side. In the middle of the wall is a large, abstracted painting of a window with a red frame called “The Garden of Eden.” Shapes within the frame suggest flowers and plants blooming within. Other artworks appear in the distance.

Susan Wick Gallery Overview

This guide begins with a collection of photos of the Susan Wick exhibition gallery walls providing an overview of the exhibition layout. Below the gallery overview are photographs of a selection of works and their accompanying artwork labels.

Photograph of a gallery with a bright yellow wall. On the left side is the introductory text in English and Spanish. In the center, is a hand-written note in Spanish painted directly on the wall in black paint. On the right side is a whimsical grouping of 9 small drawings in white frames hung at different heights.
Photograph of an orange gallery wall. Small drawings are scattered across in a random arrangement with the drawings hung at different heights. The wall also includes a display case that features a closed book; the cover has been hand painted by the artist and reads “Rocky Mountain Spring Time.” The large, colorful painting “Bird in a Glass” also hangs among the small drawings.
Photograph of a gallery that features a salmon pink wall with a sliver of a lime green wall on the right. On the left side sits a stack of vintage suitcases. Behind it the artist hand painted a message in English directly on the wall. In the center of the pink wall is an arrangement of 7 small drawings hung at different heights. On the right side of the pink wall is a large, abstracted painting called “Dreaming.” On the green wall hangs two small drawings side by side.
Photograph of the gallery with two walls that meet in a corner. The wall on the left is salmon pink and features a large horizontal painting called “Dreaming.” The wall on the right is lime green and includes 8 small drawings hung at different heights around a display case holding an open book. On the far-right end of the green wall we see a holder with brochures featuring an interview with Susan Wick.
A person with short, dark hair wearing a yellow suit with a large black and white flower at the center of their collar. They hold a barbell-shaped stem with a flower on the left and a bud on the right. Set against a yellow background.

Hubba Hubba
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica, lápiz de grafito y papel impreso cortado y pegado sobre papel
Photo by Bruce Fernandez, courtesy Denver Art Museum

Set against a lilac-purple background, the top three-quarters of the composition shows a brown trunk with roots and branches with red flowers and brown leaves at the ends. The bottom quarter has a human figure, face down, in a bathing suit, cap, and goggles, swimming toward the left against a yellow-green background.

#548
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica y tinta sobre papel
Photo by Bruce Fernandez, courtesy Denver Art Museum

The pale bloom of a calla lily set against a lilac-purple background with textured yellow paper at the bottom of the composition.

¡Popular!
1996
Pintura acrílica, lápiz de grafito y papel hecho a mano sobre papel

A bright orange background featuring a collage of a sculpture at the top, with a child and a fish-like creature. Black lines painted over in bright yellow connect it to a large, textured silver rectangle in the center. At the bottom, a whimsical, hand-drawn fish with a long tail.
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#468
1996
Pintura acrílica, tinta, hoja de plata y papel impreso sobre papel

A light pink teapot with the spout facing left and a silver leaf square in the center. It sits on a cake-shaped form atop a black stand. This floats above an orange oval at the bottom. All set against a mauve-pink background.

Té de plata
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica, pastel y hoja de plata sobre papel
Photo by Bruce Fernandez, courtesy Denver Art Museum

Set against a mustard yellow background, a bulb-like plant with long, curved, red-tipped leaves sprouting upward. The plant rests above a lightly sketched square with roots dangling below. A single cloud floats near the top, while a row of dark mountains lines the bottom.
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Encima de todo
1996
Pintura acrílica, tinta y lápiz de color sobre papel

A surreal painting features a figure with a curvy outline and yellow bird head emerging from blue water. Two flamingos with pink feathers and black-tipped wings form the figure’s arms, their beaks touching in front of the figure’s head. The background is pink with abstract water ripples. In the lower part, two blue, bird-like creatures with expressive faces pop out of the water, creating ripples.

¡Cha! ¡Cha! ¡Cha!
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica y pastel sobre papel
Photo by Bruce Fernandez, courtesy Denver Art Museum

An abstract cityscape painting features a cluster of geometric buildings in red, black, and gray against a deep blue sky. The background consists of layered pastel hues with expressive brushstrokes, creating a textured effect. The title "Sunrise" and the date "Jan 9, 1996" are inscribed near the bottom.
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Amanecer del lunes, 8 de enero de 1996
1996
Pintura acrílica sobre papel

A light-pink cactus flower and an orange-yellow cactus pad in a brown vase, set against a red, polka-dotted background. A mountain range is visible in the distance under a pale sky.

¿Cacto?
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica y tinta sobre papel
Photo by Bruce Fernandez, courtesy Denver Art Museum

A stylized human figure with elongated legs and exposed anatomical elements, set against a bright yellow background. The figure wears a white garment, with long legs showing through and abstract shapes representing internal organs. Red tassels hang symmetrically on either side. The figure gazes upward to the left with a contemplative expression.

Sí, para siempre
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica sobre papel
Photo by Bruce Fernandez, courtesy Denver Art Museum

The bottom half of the composition has a light pink background with black outlines of stems with small, thin leaves. The top half is green with an outline of a figure. It’s arms turn into the heads of light green bird-like creatures.
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En pareja
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica, tinta y pastel sobre papel

Set against a fern-green background, two black-outlined birds perch above large, wavy leaves. Beneath the leaves, roots extend outward, and a single orange flower blooms on the right.
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Vamos verde
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica y tinta sobre papel

A large, brown, abstracted figure with extended limbs standing on a skateboard. A delicate umbrella outlined in black is connected by a curving line under the limb on the right. The background is a gradient of soft peach and beige tones.
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Libertad
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica, tinta y papel impreso cortado y pegado sobre papel

Composition featuring a golden architectural structure with multiple layers. At the top, a dark arch frames a red bed and distant skyline. Below, a train moves horizontally across the middle, while a blue boat floats nearby. The central focus is a large cube-shaped structure with leaves underneath.
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Sueños
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica y tinta sobre papel

A mixed-media composition featuring two colorful birds hovering around a central abstract plant-like form growing from a striped pot. A crinkled silver rectangular patch dominates the center, hanging by a delicate chain or vine. The scene is set against a bold yellow backdrop with lavender and orange accents.
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¡Plata!
Hacia 1996
Pintura acrílica, tinta, lápiz de color y hoja de plata sobre papel

Abstract composition with bold, flowing shapes and vibrant colors. Deep blue dominates the lower half, while pink, cream, and yellow organic forms intertwine in the center. Tall, dark green and white vertical elements rise on the right, set against a vivid red background.

Soñando
2002
Pintura acrílica sobre lienzo
Photo by Wes Magyar

A white bird in profile with a blue eye appears central, interacting with translucent shapes and a large hand. At the bottom, a black-and-white floral arrangement sits atop a rectangular surface. The background is a mix of sky blue, peach, green, and magenta.

Pájaro en un vaso
2000
Pintura acrílica sobre lienzo
Colección de Francie Bishop Good y de David Horvitz
Photo by Wes Magyar

A stack of several old suitcases in various colors and textures.
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A selection of vintage suitcases

A vintage book with a textured, faded orange cover and a worn brown spine. The front has no visible title or text. A book with a gray cover featuring a colorful, whimsical illustration of a globe-like shape with leaves, clouds, and abstract patterns. The label on the front reads “Papier” and “Bonn, Germany.” Book with a light-colored cover featuring the hand-lettered title “Chocolat Book” in brown and red ink. A small, handmade book with a purple cloth cover and a yellow tassel. A handwritten label on th
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Una selección de libros de la artista creados entre 1974 y 1998

A handpainted note in black on the gallery wall. The message thanks the Denver Art Museum, curator Rory Padeken, assistant Hadia Shaikh, and the curatorial team. It reads: “It is an honor + HONOR. Hope you enjoy it!” and is signed “Susan Wick.” The message is tightly outlined, and two arm-like forms wrap around the bottom of the text.
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¡¡Deseo dar las gracias al Denver Art Museum, a mi curador Rory Padeken, a su asistente Hadia Shaikh y al equipo curatorial!! Y decir que para mí es un honor HONOR. ¡Espero que la disfruten!

Susan Wick