SUZI BALLENGER
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Indiana, Suzi Ballenger, MFA, is a Rhode Island fiber artist and educator celebrated for her innovative approach. She possesses a deep curiosity for materials that enrich her craft and artistic language, believing that the true essence of fiber is uncovered through observation, repetition, and structure. Each fiber has its own personality, and it is essential to listen to what it has to say. Suzi’s work is distinctive, characterized by the self-designed tools and techniques she employs, which create a striking contrast between transparency and density. Her creations feature meandering, linear pathways of rhythm that are both unexpected and joyful.
VISION
Suzi Ballenger’s works are inspired by the diverse colors and textures of the sandy and rocky ocean shores of Rhode Island. Shades of natural gray and blue are enhanced by the incorporation of sisal, paper, linen, and hemp fibers. Each piece is woven to capture the rhythm of ebb and flow, reflecting both regular and irregular movement. The textural qualities of the fibers are intensified by the sinuous motions of warp and weft, mirroring the patterns observed along the tidal flats and breaking waves.
Learn more about the artists behind our collection of over 200 weavings at Newport Harbor Island Resort!