Susan Ryan

Susan’s sculpture is a celebration of the versatility of paper mache. Inspired by the decades old papier mâché that produced utilitarian household items, elegant furniture, and elaborate architectural ornaments, Susan uses the common ingredients of pulped paper, Elmer’s glue, and plaster of Paris or joint compound to create sculptural pieces that are anything but common. 

Susan’s art career began after graduating from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. She freelanced as an illustrator for major advertising agencies in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and New York. Ultimately, she left that world to focus on creating oil paintings and paper mache sculpture. 

“What I like about paper mache is the variety of objects I can create and the different surface styles I can employ on them. I especially love that I can incorporate recycled materials (especially plastic) in my sculpture. My goal with these sculptures is twofold: to expand the perception of paper mache beyond the notion that it is kindergarten artwork, and to invite my viewers to consider how they might reduce/reuse plastic trash in their daily life.”