It is my intention for my work to be a positive influence in their environment and on those who view it. I incorporate shapes and patterns that I feel give my work a sense of grounding, unity and strength.
I strive to create collage compositions that have balance and harmony while retaining a feeling of movement or flowing. I use a rich diversity of textures and materials assembled to create a sense of overall unity. It is my preference to work in a series and make pieces that can work well together when hung in close proximity to each other.
My collages consist of contemporary abstract compositions suspended in pools of color and texture. I incorporate fine details so that the viewer is invited to linger. I also make sure that from a distance you can see a strong abstract composition and as you approach you are engaged by the added depth from the underlying layers. The collages are created on watercolor paintings which I create to establish a feeling of movement or flow as well as to give the art depth, cohesion and dimension. When creating commission works I use elements specific to the site and that satisfy the clients individual needs. In public art it is my intention to inspire the public to see their connection to the community as well as have a personal positive experience.
I love the medium of collage for the variety of possibilities arising from the use of materials, patterns, colors and textures. I create most of the paper used in my collages from scans that I make of fabric, I then enlarge and change the colors to fit my specific needs. I use Giclee quality paper and printing methods in the creation of the paper that I then tear up to use in my work. The edges of the papers and the flowing placement of pieces are crucial to my overall composition. I sometimes incorporate imported papers and skeletal leaves for their transparent qualities, but the dominate design elements are the strong patterns and colors that I can personally create for each piece.
Susan Adamé
Born 1949, Chicago, Illinois
Moved to San Francisco Bay Area, 1954
Selected Exhibitions
2010 - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artist Gallery, group exhibition, San Francisco, CA
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, National Exhibition, Berkeley, CA
Robert Allen Gallery, Works on Paper, group exhibition, Sausalito, CA
Daniel North Gallery, group exhibition, Space, Cut Bank, MT
Artists Haven Gallery, group exhibition, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Chemers Gallery, Tustin, LA
Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2009 - ICO Gallery, solo exhibition, Collide, New York, NY
Infusion Gallery, solo exhibition, Reflections, Los Angeles, CA
Galleria Gora, solo exhibition, Lyrical, Montreal, Canada
Artist’s Haven, solo exhibition, Remembering, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artist Gallery, group exhibition, San Francisco, CA
Maryland Federation of Art, Circle Gallery, group exhibition, Art on Paper, Annapolis, MD
ACCI Gallery, group exhibition, Divergence, Berkeley, CA
2008 - National Association of Women Artists, group exhibition, National Small Works, New York, NY
Katharine Butler Gallery, group exhibition, Annual National Juried Show, Sarasota, FL
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artist Gallery, group exhibition, San Francisco, CA
Illinois Institute of Art Chicago, group exhibition, Make Me an Offer, Chicago, Il
ACCI Gallery, group exhibition, Resuscitation, Berkeley, CA
Sea Ranch Lodge Front Gallery, solo exhibition, Sea Ranch, CA
Gualala Art Center, group exhibition, Gualala Collage, Gualala, CA
2007 - Market Street Gallery, Remnants of Floating, solo exhibition, San Francisco, CA
Albany Arts Gallery, solo exhibition, Adamé Collages, Albany, CA
Studio Gallery, group exhibition, Delicious, San Francisco, CA
Soho Myriad, group exhibition, Atlanta, GA
2006 - Albany Arts Gallery, solo show, Remembering, Albany, CA
Studio Gallery, group exhibition, Delicious II, San Francisco, CA
Pro Arts Gallery, group exhibition, Oakland, CA
2005 - Studio Gallery, group exhibition, Delicious, San Francisco, CA
Albany Arts Gallery, solo exhibition, Recent Developments, Albany CA
Pro Arts Gallery, group exhibition, Finding, Oakland, CA
1981 - 2004
Form & Function Gallery, group exhibition, Delight, Atlanta, GA
Highlight Gallery, solo exhibition, Light Up, Mendocino, CA
William Zimmer Gallery, solo exhibition, Adamé Art, Mendocino, CA
Artisans Gallery, group exhibition, Living, Portland, OR
Epperson Gallery, group exhibition, Gatherings, Crockett, CA
Albany Arts Gallery, solo exhibition, Flowing, Albany, CA
ACCI Gallery, group exhibition, Berkeley, CA
Selected Acquisitions & Commission
2010 - Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building, commission, La Palma, CA
2009 - South Shore Hospital, Women's Cancer Center, commission, South Weymouth, MA
2009 - Approved for artists in pool for SF Art Commission Library Project, San Francisco, CA
2008 - VISA, Editions, acquisition and license for calendar, Emeryville, CA,
2008 - Alameda County Arts Commission, acquisition, Human Resources Building, Oakland, CA
2008 - Villa Marin Retirement Community, commission, San Rafael, CA,
2006 - Soho Myriad, Concierge Lounge, commission, Atlanta, GA
2005 - City of Albany, Community Center, acquisition, Albany, CA
Education
2009 - 2010 - Northern California Public Art Academy, San Francisco, Oakland and Santa Cruz, CA
1996 - 1998 - California School of Professional Fabric Design, Berkeley, CA
1981 - 1985 - 4th level Certificate Japanese Sogetsu Ikebana Flower Arranging, Sakai, Albany, CA
1979 - 1990 - Japanese brush painting studies, Berkeley, CA
1971 - 1972 - Graduate art studies, California State University, East Bay, Clayton Bailey Allan Temko
1967 - 1971 - B.A. in Art, University of California State University, Chico, CA
Other Art Activities
2005 - 2010 Member of Albany Arts Committee, Albany, CA
2007 - Artist of the Year, Albany Community Foundation, Albany, CA
2006 - 2007 Wrote Percent for Art Ordinance, City of Albany, CA
2005 - 2008 Co-chair of Art in the Parks, a Public Art Program, Albany, CA
2005 - 2008 Chair for fine art festivals for City of Albany, Albany, CA
1997 - 2007 Artist and Textile Designer for Eileen West, San Francisco, CA
1995 - 1997 President of ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, CA
1992 - 1993 Chairperson on committee that developed art gallery in the Albany Community Center
1991 - 1992 Chairperson for a local Art Festival sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce
1981 - 1990 Established and was sole owner of art gallery at 1251 Solano Avenue, Albany CA.
1981 - 1990 Created studio space for twelve other working artists
Publications
2010 - A World of Artists
2010 - Art in America Annual Guide
2010 - DPI Magazine, feature article
2010 - A Walk Into Abstracts, Sue St. John, e-book and DVD
2009 - The Guild Sourcebook of Art 24, Guild Sourcebook
2009 - International Contemporary Masters 2009, World Wide Art Books
2009 - Cover art for Dick Blick Annual Catalog
2009 - American Style Magazine, April Art & Design Issue
2008 - The Guild Sourcebook of Architectural & Interior Art 23. Guild Sourcebook
Susan Adame joined Pixels.com Licensing on August 13th, 2010.
