Suzie Foutoulis
SUZIE FOUTOULIS
Suzie Foutoulis was educated at Pinnaroo Area School and Mercedes College in Springfield. Suzie holds a Bachelor of Visual Art and Applied Design (A three year major in drawing and painting studios) Suzie obtained a Bachelor of Education in teaching at Flinders University. Prior to obtaining her Bachelor Degrees Suzie studied a three year Diploma of Fine Arts and Craft at renowned North Adelaide School of Art under distinguished artist and academic, colourist Dr. Jolly Koh.
Dr. Koh studied Art in London and worked with John Olsen prior to teaching Suzie. As senior lecturer at NASA he encouraged Suzie to apply noticing her work (The South Australian School of Art established 1856)
Suzie’s love of Art began after Grandparents immigrated from Sevenoaks in Kent UK to Aldgate Adelaide Hills settling in Gilberton South Australia. Whilst living in Gilberton they became close friends with Kym Bonython. Suzie’s grandparents shared Bonython’s love of Art Jazz motor racing plus connections with RAAF. Susan’s grandfather working as a scientist at Edinburgh RAAF base. Suzie’s memories of her grandfathers locked briefcase and speedy drives in his Red GT Monaro resonate today. Suzie attributes her strong desire to draw paint and study fine art to her many visits as a child to The Bonython Art Gallery, Aldgate Arts Crafts Gallery and Hans Heysen’s studio. Kym Bonython promoting Sidney Nolan, Pro Hart, William Dobell, & Brett Whiteley, all of whom Suzie attributes as influences along with Nora Heysen, John Olsen and Dr. Koh.
Suzie’s deep love of poetry, Renaissance and impressionist painters inspired by her late mother English literature teacher who taught Suzie at a very young age to understand Shakespearean verse all the great poets including Keats imagery, poetry and paintings by William Blake and Salvador Dali.
Suzie works from life models in charcoal ink oil paint oil glaze pastels gouache to create "beautiful gestural one offs" in moments of time to capture external form whilst exposing deeper abstract expressionism and complexity of inner self within juxtaposition of artist model viewer.
Suzie recently spent time living on the Greek Isles exploring her husband’s close family roots on the Isles of Rhodos and Kos whist researching 12th century monastic frescoes in Chora on the Holy Isle of Patmos (and others throughout the Isles) it's symbolism and context today in contemporary Greek Art.
Suzie is currently working on new bodies of work inspired by time living in Greece.
