Recent Works

Eyjafiallajökull

The eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull (Icelandic for „Iceland mountain glacier“) in April 2010 was on the mind of Susi Hochstrasser a lot during that year. The eruption of the volcano sent toxic ash into the air and it covered the countryside. It threatened vegetable and dairy farmers (some 500 farmers had to be evacuated and cows had to be rescued from exposure to the toxic volcanic ash).

Later, the growth of the vegetation was normal again. Friends, who have been in Iceland a few months after the eruption, said that they could barely see traces of the ash and its devastation. We all know that nature is strong and overcomes such catastrophe and plants will bloom again.

In the year 1783 volcano eruptions occurred in different parts of the world (in Iceland, Italy and Japan). Since the nature recovered completely, we do not think of this catastrophic time anymore. This background brought Susi Hochstrasser to the paintings “Eyjafjallajökull”. The flamboyant colors of the plants and flowers are laid over partly grey or dark background.

Drawings and walls

The “drawings” are done in vibrant and bright colors. Susi Hochstrasser uses printmaking ink. Thin and thick lines are running all over the paper in doodles, showing plant-like forms.

Paintings with 4 to 25 pieces are called “the walls”. The colorful bases are painted in different colors of the seasons with drawings of leaves and/or flowers. “Wall 2” with its 25 squares is like a sonnet to the springtime, a musical accord, an explosion of spring colors.

Wall 2
Oil on Paper Mounted on Wood
108x108 cm, 25-teilig, 20x20x3cm