August 12 - September 25

Reception: August 21, 2026 - 7pm to 9pm

The John Natsoulas Gallery is thrilled to host the solo exhibition of Susannah Israel’s distinctive ceramic sculpture. Exhibited on the second floor the gallery, her body of work is a reflection of the humor she uses to confront the struggles of life. Her emphasis of gesture takes an equal role to her interest in abstraction and distortion. The dynamic figures, some in conversation with a paired piece, offer viewers discrete narratives to consider, even as the overarching themes remain cohesive. Her repetitious use of unglazed terracotta-colored clay reminds viewers of the earthen and historical origins of her medium. The warmth and rich coloration of each figure shines, even when the figure is subsumed entirely with glazes and surface designs.

“I am a storyteller: I tell stories with words, and I tell stories with clay. Terracotta is my chosen material for the rich color of the natural surface, and I am influenced by red clay traditions from Mexico, the Visayas, Japan and Italy. My work is termed expressive and abstracted; I use the figure to respond to themes and issues, which I consider to be the role of sculptors across time and around the world.”

Originally from New York, the artist studied ceramics for some time at Pratt Art Institute with Byron Temple, and she later earned both a BA and an MFA from San Francisco State University. Her extensive teaching at numerous institutions in California took her to schools across the state. Her work has been exhibited throughout the world, and her sculpture is found in museums, private art collections, and public art sites throughout the United States. Her career distinctions include the Fletcher Challenge Premier Award, a Virginia Groot Foundation Award, and residencies at the Archie Bray and the Doelger Art Center. Her extensive output of writing primarily showcases and uplifts talented artists who are typically excluded from galleries and museums.