Schreckhise Explores The ‘Intersections Of Art, Tools And Place’

When Suzanne Schreckhise won the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum’s 2019 Annual Invitational, the reward included a solo show — the first of her career.

“This being my first solo show, I felt an increased sense of responsibility,” says Schreckhise, whose work elevates the classic craft of crochet to a high art. “I have had three other twowoman shows in the last three years, and those always included working together on everything, which I love. Having a solo show combined with the current atmosphere felt a bit more lonely and much more responsibility.

“[But] the RAM is so great to work with. They came to my studio and packed and shipped my work with real art handlers, as well as designed and made all the postcards, signage and nameplates which made me feel like an art queen! Going through the whole process of getting ready and executing the solo show has been a great learning experience. The RAM has the most beautiful gallery and is the only museum accessible to regional artists like me. I am thrilled that my first solo show is here — could not have been a better place.”

4th paragraph under Schreckhise story -- pls change sentence to this: The theme of Schreckhise’s exhibit, titled “Attention to Tension,” is certainly relevant to current events; she’s created a series of handmade masks.

“I felt a bit paralyzed by the isolation and the insecurity of the time,” she says. “I began sewing masks by hand (no machine) as a way of being mindful and working through my feelings of everything being uncertain, unsafe and out of control. Out of that came my mask series. This body of work explores the intersections of art, tools and place. Each mask is a standalone piece of art that also functions as an air filter. Using materials, clothing and fabrics from my own collection that hold memories, I experiment with assigning both safety and beauty to an otherwise strictly utilitarian object.

“Working with these old materials and domestic techniques brings a sense of familiarity and comfort in the midst of the sudden paradigm shift the global pandemic represents.”

(Courtesy Photo) “I want to call attention to this very stressful, unprecedented time in history,” says Schreckhise of her exhibit “Attention to Tension.” “Because I use tension in most of my work either literally or figuratively, my two other series worked with my new series of Masks titled ‘Breath.’ I have always felt if I can make something uncomfortable beautiful while simultaneously pointing out the uncomfortable truth, it is healing for me, and hopefully for others that view it.”