“Ties of the Heart” (2013)
The paintings in this book were inspired by my personal investigations into the writings of the major religions. Although the social teachings of each religion change in accordance with an ever advancing world society, the spiritual messages remain the same. The kinship between the spiritual teachings of each religion reflects the oneness of religion, oneness of humanity and oneness of God.
I began creating this book in 1991, it is now 2012. I initially thought it would be a relatively simple task to select similar writings from diverse religions that spoke to the content of each of my paintings. Yet, each attempt at finishing this book required starting from scratch; re-reading the Qur’an, Dhammapda, Holy Scriptures, Bhagavad Gita, and Bahá’i Writings. With each new reading I gradually familiarized myself with the “voice” of each Messenger–Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, and Bahá’u’lláh–and in so doing, the content of the messages and the intent in the words gradually took on new meaning.
“Sleepy Lizard Down Under” (2013)
This book is a cultural tribute to Nalka Mourindjerar (Nahl-kah more-un-jah-ree). Nalka Mourindjerar was the “Keeper of the Stories and Legends” of the Ngarrindjeri South Australian Aborigines. In 1990, he entrusted the passing of his Stories on to me, officially designating me as the last Keeper of the Stories and Legends of the Ngarrindjeri South Australian Aborigines. This book contains previously undocumented Stories and Legends of the South Australian Ngarrindjeris, the art they produced and my experience working with them in the Riverland.
“Storybook Are Your Teeth Killing You?” (2013)
Look at the charts! Comic book about systemic diseases caused by dental work. Charts about teeth body relationships (meridians) and the relationship of teeth to emotions. How to cure incurable diseases.
“99 Names” (2010)
The original artwork 99 Names is comprised of ninety-nine handmade books. Each book is ascribed to one of the ninety-nine attributes of God as referenced in the Qur’an and the writings of major religions.
Each cover is embellished with a ceramic form, beading, leather, embroidery and gold leaf. The intent of 99 Names is to affirm the Oneness of the spiritual teachings of major religions and provide a framework for introspection on personal accountability. The original books are in the permanent collection of the Farhat Collection of Modern & Contemporary Arab Art.
“Family Ties” (2010)
Art reflects the values of a society and bridges the divide between the familiar and the unfamiliar. Art is invested with the power to elevate consciousness, illuminate the human spirit and unify humanity.
The surface reality presented by those in power (the media, government, and institutions) is explored to reveal the impact of personal accountability on the moral and ethical standards of a society. Similarly, social relations involving authority and power are explored for their misuses and abuses of human rights. The impetus for my work is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, laws applicable during times of war and peace for all members of humanity.
“What I did then…is what i do now” (2010)
Selected art created by Suzanne Klotz from 1972 to 2012.
Sculptures, paintings, drawings, mixed-media, furniture.