Susan Ottaviano

Witches, Goddesses, Corsets and Bustles

New work in Progress

"Witches, Goddesses, Corsets, and Bustles" is a captivating new body of work by artist Susan Ottaviano exploring the intersection of mythology, nature, and the feminine experience through mixed-media paintings, graphite drawings and hand-built ceramics and sculptures. 

"Witches, Goddesses, Corsets, and Bustles" is a collection of portraits created with graphite on paper and canvases made with oil pastels, ephemera and collage. Each piece delves into the complex and compelling narratives of witchcraft, divinity, femininity, and the historical symbolism of corsets and bustles. Her hand built ceramics add a tactile and sculptural element to complement the work.

Drawing on a wide range of influences, including the twentieth-century work of Surrealist painters: Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo, Susan’s work offers a provocative and powerful new perspective on the complexity of womanhood. Other influences include and the photo collages of artist Hannah Hoch, ancient art, pop culture, Japanese prints as well as Japanese ghosts, known as yurei.

"Witches, Goddesses, Corsets, and Bustles" invites viewers on a visual and intellectual journey—rich with color, detail, warmth, and whimsy. These themes symbolize the enduring presence of women's stories and voices, despite centuries of discrimination and marginalization.

Now, more than ever, there is a urgent need to challenge conventional narratives of what it means to be a woman.