SUBTEXT SERIES

One of Singleton's emotionally charged LEXICON projects, building upon the theme of shelter dissolving into space; attachment, and loss.

“I didn’t realize it at the time, but I can see now that the recent loss of my parents influenced the imagery in this series…”

—Susan Singleton

The Subtext series derives its title from the stained pages of a discarded vintage book from the 1880's that was used to construct the underlying structure for each of these works.

Subtext #1 (Origins)

Paper, paint and photo on paper, 22 x 30 inches

Listen to the audio clip below to learn about the origins of this work.

 
Listen to the Artist Discuss The Origins of the Photograph and Themes of The Subtext Series
 

Subtext #4

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #11 (Reclamation)

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #17

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #9

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #22

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #6 (Light)

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #21 (Stories)

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #7 (Ghosts)

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #19

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #23

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #2

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Someone I loved once gave me/
a box full of darkness/
It took me years to understand/
that this too, was a gift.

—Mary Oliver

 

Subtext #10 (Ancestors)

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 
 

Subtext #15

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 
 

Subtext #5

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #8

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

“These years for me have included an exhausting yet illuminating period — moving through time, awakening to the idea that there will be an end…impermanence. We do not exist in isolation; the seasons, friends and family, the political climate and my emotions. This all impacts how I approach my work. I have found joy and healing in my art. It has carried me along…revealing a solid structure — pieced together tentatively with the power of discovery.”

—Susan Singleton

 

Subtext #3

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 
 

Subtext #13

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #16

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches

 

Subtext #18

Paper and paint on paper from botanical book from the 1800’s, 22 x 30 inches