Biography

Louise Strawbridge uses a wide range of materials and textures to explore the possibilities of disturbing qualities in the commonplace. In her work, mystery is not to be solved but valued and explored. She received a M.A. in Literature from The University of Chicago in 1971 and taught English for many years. Making art became her full-time occupation when she moved to London in 1998. She has lived in Philadelphia with her husband, David, since 2003. Her work is in the permanent collection of Zhengzhou Art Museum, China.

Artist Statement

A basic goal in my work is to alter or change my own perspective and that of the viewer looking at it. Of the numerous ways to do that, my way is often by using something ordinary. I like to use non-art material, show it in a different, isolated way, revealing it from a point of view other than is usual. This might be ‘trash’ I pick up or favorite materials: strong, Japanese calligraphed paper, roofing papers, barkcloth from Uganda, old book papers, rusted metals, gut, homespun linen and things in nature. I also often mend/ sew on these materials. Mending is a nice metaphor for me - as is “binding” from old books. Other materials are those handmade by me such as many various papers which I often also hand-dye indigo. I like when the work disturbs or shakes up conventional ways of knowing. I’m interested in Mystery- not solving it, but rather valuing and exploring it. My heritage - 10 generations of Mennonites in Lancaster County, PA. - has influenced my artwork. It is not the religious aspect - which I questioned - but their values of humility, austerity, mending and natural deterioration (not throwing away), simplicity as well as their ubiquitous black, white and gray colors that I celebrate. By expressing these things abstractly in collage, paint, sculptural forms, it also signals to me that it is time to move my thinking to a deeper, less language based, more instinctual and intuitive realm. I’m looking for ways to show the hand, the handmade: showing the wear and tear, a history of sorts, the imperfect, awkward, intimate. I chose an academic course in my studies, not fine art. I graduated with honors from Pennsylvania State University and continued on to graduate school at The University of Chicago where my thesis was on the 17th century poet, John Donne, his use of language and how words are transformed into art. I taught English for many years at Temple University and at Community College of Philadelphia as an adjunct professor. I had my first gallery show in 1996, left teaching, moved to London with my husband and rented my first studio. Four years later, we moved back to Philadelphia where we live now.