This week I returned Susie Surtees’ last library book. Walking out of the Ballarat Library into the crisp spring air, I sensed a closing on the final chapter of my late mother’s remarkable creative life; at least, as read and written by her. Throughout life, books were Susie’s constant companions. Ever curious, inquisitive and thirsty for knowledge, Susie had a final book on hold at the time of her passing: The Patterning Instinct - A cultural history of humanity’s search for meaning. This book title personifies the spirit of my creative, intellectual childhood, adolescence and adult life as guided by my incredible mother.
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Susie Surtees called Ballarat home for more than 40 years, and during that time made a memorable impact on many individuals and groups within the community. A school teacher at Wendouree, St Martin’s in the Pines, Damascus, St Pats and Ballarat High, Susie’s zest for life was palpable, her enthusiastic nature appreciated by students and staff alike.
Susie was mentor to many. A linguist, writer, artist, graphic designer, life coach, and contributing member of countless community groups, Susie recently founded Ballarat’s ‘Word Banquet’, hosting monthly literary adventures at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute.
The Ballarat Mechanics Institute, home to Ballarat’s oldest library, had a magnetic appeal to my literary mother, and thus was the obvious choice for a final celebration in her honour. This weekend’s exhibition, A Creative Life: Susie Surtees, provides a unique opportunity to experience life through the eyes of one of Ballarat’s great creative minds, featuring original photographs and artworks from her private collection. Some words from Susie now, to welcome you to her exhibition, and to the many galleries currently showcasing works for the BOAA.
“Art viewed online can’t beat the sensuous and psychological whole-body-and-mind experience of moving through the spaces of an art museum, of standing up close and personal to original artworks and to cultural artefacts that bear their makers’ distinctive gestures – the luscious topography of brushstrokes gleaming under lights, the chisel marks, the stitching, the warp and weft. These wonders of imagination and skill were once touched by artists’ hands, and by the small breezes of their breath.
Public art museums are vital keepers of memory—preserving and conserving are core functions—reminding us of who came before, and of the universality of human preoccupations and narrative strands. Collections show how the past is connected to the present, and the present to the future.
Art reveals cultural lineages and evidence of each artist’s unquenchable yearning to make meaning both of the mysteries of existence and of the mundane—each work a potent personal response to the timeless questions of why we’re here and how we’re to live.
The word museum derives from the Greek mouseion, which means ‘seat, or shrine of the muses’. It’s fitting, because in this era, museums and galleries have become hallowed places of modern secular pilgrimage. People come looking for something deeper than first-glance aesthetic pleasure. A filmmaker told me that art museums plug him into creative super-matrices where art’s blazing messages recharge him, inspire him, expand his ways of seeing and being.
Warning—art illuminates. Art matters.”
This excerpt is from Susie’s article ‘Why Art Museums Matter’, published in the online magazine www.mojojunction.com. Mojo Junction was our mother-daughter collaboration with artists and creatives from across the globe, showcasing writings, photography and multimedia features about music, food and travel. Susie was our brilliant editor and feature writer. Those keen to discover more of her works will find 10 of her pieces currently featured on the main page.
Beyond the pencil and the paintbrush, Susie was also an artisan of the kitchen. Most of those who knew Susie were lucky enough to dine on her exquisite cuisine. As a child, I was enchanted by her culinary adventures. The magical everyday alchemy of her abundant kitchen was host to more international cuisine than most could imagine in a pre-internet era. To honour her lifelong commitment to creating delectable dishes and supporting the community, much of Susie’s precious kitchenware was donated to the local multicultural women’s group ‘It Takes Courage’.
Last year the group authored a book filled with delicious recipes and stories from the women’s homelands. At Susie’s exhibition opening on Friday night, Ballarat will have their first opportunity to feast on delicacies from the groups new private catering company ‘A Pot of Courage’. The group will be offering cooking classes and private catering from December this year.
As Susie’s only daughter, coming back to Ballarat to honour her passing has been one of the most challenging, yet profound times of my life. Susie was adored by many, and the outpouring of love and support from the community certainly echoes this sentiment. A woman of unparalleled intelligence, compassion and generosity of spirit, Susie’s greatest gift was her willingness to share her distinctive creative perspective toward life.
A CREATIVE LIFE: THE ART & PHOTOGRAPHY OF SUSIE SURTEES (2/6/53-22/7/18)
FRI 28 SEPT 6:30-9pm | SAT 29 SEPT 2-4pm & 6:30-9pm
OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION: FRI 28 SEPT 6:30pm
Experience the world through the eyes of one of Ballarat’s great creative minds. Susie will always be remembered for her warmth, generosity and boundless enthusiasm for the creative life.
For two days only, artworks and photography from her private collection will be on display at the BMI. Please join us for the opening night celebration 6:30pm Friday 28 September with food from the new multicultural women’s catering company Pot of Courage.
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