Susan Squires (b.1942)
Materials: Encaustic and oil stick on panel, each 24" in diameter
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), blue neighborhood, fourth floor, hallway outside patient rooms H4-121 and H4-122.
Secret Garden, 2017
In this circular panel, Susan Squires allows the natural grain of the wood to emerge through the layers of encaustic, offering a tactile depth that draws the viewer into the composition. The title Secret Garden evokes the idea of a hidden, enclosed space, and within the geometric grid of triangles and trapezoids created with oil stick, we encounter a solitary rectangle, perhaps the secret garden itself, surrounded by a mesmerizing array of varied shapes.
In both medieval and Eastern mysticism, the "secret garden" can represent intellectual, emotional, spiritual, or even sensual dimensions, depending on the context. Squires’ work invites the viewer to explore these layered meanings through their own unique perspective, guided by her interest in merging "ancient knowing with modern interpretation." In this way, the piece encourages a personal journey of discovery, where meaning is not fixed but evolves with the beholder’s individual experience.
Summer Evening, 2017
In this circular composition, Susan Squires evokes expansive, cosmic themes, inviting the viewer to consider the vastness of time and space. The modulated blue violet background, touched with glimmers of orange, suggests the subtle fading light of twilight, as referenced in the title. Upon this atmospheric ground, the artist arranges what appears to be the short ends of wooden boards, revealing tree rings that allude to the passage of time and the age of the materials.
On top of these forms, a grid of orange lines and interspersed orange filled spaces create a contrasting system of organization, framed by five small white circles. Are they stars, moons, or planets? The diagonal lines of the grid introduce a sense of movement, lending the piece a dynamic energy, even as its overall composition maintains a harmonious balance, unmarked by symmetry.
While the meaning of the work remains open to interpretation, the piece exudes a peaceful and restful presence, inviting the viewer to reflect and connect. The waxy, textured surface of the encaustic draws us in, allowing us to touch it with the mind’s eye and engage with its layers of time, space, and quiet contemplation.
About the Artist
Susan Squires’ two encaustic works, Secret Garden and Summer Evening, utilize the ancient technique of encaustic painting, in which pigment is suspended in molten wax. The circular panels, measuring 24 inches in diameter, invite the viewer into a space that feels both intimate and expansive. Squires enhances the soft, luminous surface of the wax with oil stick, adding texture, resistance, and sometimes intricate details. This combination allows the artist to create intricate geometric compositions that often evoke abstract musical patterns, architectural structures, and landscapes. The intuitive use of geometry contrasts with the emotional resonance of her evocative titles, suggesting a deeper psychological and spiritual exploration.
Squires' work seeks to establish a meditative mood, inviting contemplation. The viewer is encouraged to embrace the experience, recognizing that understanding may be a fluid, ongoing process rather than a fixed destination. In her own words, it is less important that we fully comprehend the work than that we remain open to seeking understanding through it.
These two pieces exemplify Squires’ commitment to creating quiet, thoughtful environments where the boundaries between rational structure and emotional intuition blur. The titles Secret Garden and Summer Evening suggest hidden spaces and moments of calm, and the works themselves provide a visual space to reflect and find peace.
Where You Can See More of This Artist’s Work
A Cleveland native, Squires earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Throughout her career, she has exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally, including in Germany and Italy, where she is represented by a gallery in Rome. Her works are also represented by galleries in Akron and Cleveland. You can explore more of her recent work through her website, offering a deeper look into her evolving artistic practice.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health
- Next featured artist: Julian Stanczak
- Homepage: summahealth.org/art
- More artwork in new patient tower