Selected Exhibitions

A full list of shows is included in my CV, available here

Barbie on the Cusp

BWP/AiRX: Susan R. Kirshenbaum
Black & White Projects, San Francisco, March 1 to April 20, 2019

Hosted twice a year, BWP’s Live Residency offers the opportunity for artists to create new work within the gallery during open hours. The residency’s goal is to create a space for artists to complete works that go beyond their past scale or scope, and to provide the public with a venue to interact with the artist, ask questions, and see the process of making. Each residency concludes in a solo exhibition that includes work created during their time in the space.

“Barbie on the Cusp” is a multi-disciplinary project and exhibition created during my Art Residency with Black & White Projects.

See more here: portfolio page And here: https://blackandwhiteprojects.com/2019/02/28/airx-kirshenbaum/

Work in progress at the studio - drawing model Tami with Barbie-related props. I’m using pastels and conte.

Now and then, side-by-side photos: left is at the reception for Barbie on the Cusp and right is a black and white taken by my father at somewhere between 10-13 years old which he printed and cut to the size of a Barbie with curved corners. This was … — Now and then, side-by-side photos: left is at the reception for Barbie on the Cusp and right is a black and white taken by my father at somewhere between 10-13 years old which he printed and cut to the size of a Barbie with curved corners. This was in the vitrine in the show.

At the reception the installation was complete with: headless dolls in heaps and climbing the walls, props that are in the drawings, printouts from the digital art in the books, a journal to write your own story (& yes I am still looking for oth… — At the reception the installation was complete with: headless dolls in heaps and climbing the walls, props that are in the drawings, printouts from the digital art in the books, a journal to write your own story (& yes I am still looking for other peoples’ stories!) and a large z-fold art book.

At the reception the installation was complete with: my printed book, hazard tape, headless dolls on the floor in police style outlines, and candy.

Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp

Fall 2019 Open Studios

Pacific Felt Factory, San Francisco, October 26-27, 2019

> SF Artspan Open Studios | Weekend 3, October 26-27 | ONE PERSON SHOW - Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp + 11 more artists: On display: new editions of my Barbie zines and “Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp”. The work continues to evolve. Plus more new work. Installation in the main gallery (flex-space) of the Pacific Felt Factory at 2830 20th St. (Mission) btw York & Bryant (SF). Tacos in the courtyard Sat-Sun and Mimosas on Sunday 11am-1pm.

See our PFF Group poster here.

Participating artists include: Truong Tran, Sandra Yagi, Rodney Ewing, Karen Olsen-Dunn, Cindy Shih, Ron Moultrie Saunders, Brian Singer, Irman Arcibal, Theresa J. Giannattei, Jon Fischer, and Shane Izykowski

Wall of Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp with 3 new works and my open artist book on the shelf. Left: Chapter 1: The Barbie Game (Illustration), Middle: Her Pinkness (Photo Diptych), Right: Chapter 2: What Were We Afraid Of? — Wall of Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp with 3 new works and my open artist book on the shelf. Left: *Chapter 1: The Barbie Game* (Illustration), Middle: *Her Pinkness* (Photo Diptych), Right: *Chapter 2: What Were We Afraid Of?*

Being shown for the first time, this is my latest series of Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp. It is all photographic - photo I took of Barbie’s summer travels to Spain and Yosemite.

Wall of Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp with attendee looking at my new artist book on the shelf. Left: Chapter 1: The Barbie Game (Illustration), Middle: Her Pinkness (Photo Diptych) — Wall of Phase 2: Barbie on the Cusp with attendee looking at my new artist book on the shelf. Left: *Chapter 1: The Barbie Game* (Illustration), Middle: *Her Pinkness* (Photo Diptych)

Mimosas and bagels on Sunday morning at PFF. Artist Jon Fischer is bartending. — Mimosas and bagels on Sunday morning at PFF. Artist **Jon Fischer** is bartending.

There were two of us exhibiting our work in PFF’s flex-space gallery. That the work of Ron Moultrie Saunders, on the right. — There were two of us exhibiting our work in PFF’s flex-space gallery. That the work of **Ron Moultrie Saunders**, on the right.

Women in Silk: Not What you Think & Life Squared, SFWA, San Francisco, CA 2019

SFWA is a member-based nonprofit women’s art organization with a beautiful gallery in the Inner Sunset of San Francisco. I rented their Artists Salon for a month to hold a show of three of bodies of my work. I exhibited my largest and smallest works, from eight-feet tall, four-feet wide chiffon panels I call “Banderas” to 10-inch square shadow boxes, and in the large works between - my six-foot high silk scrolls. I also gave an art talk and threw two receptions.

Photographer and art writer DeWitt Cheng took a series of photos of the reception. Here I am with the Color Block Silk Scroll Series. Photo by DeWitt Cheng.

The “Life Squared Series” were interspersed on walls of the gallery.

More of the “Life Squared Series” which were interspersed on walls of the gallery.

Susan R. Kirshenbaum, The Laundry, San Francisco, CA 2016

The Laundry is a co-work space in an old commercial laundry facility, with a well-lit gallery and large event and office spaces. During Open Studios and beyond, I had a solo exhibition here. Among other works, I had the chance to show my entire series of life-sized silk scrolls. They appear to populate the space with a very large female presence. They are most elegant and alive with a fan blowing a little breeze and causing them to flutter, like a rippling room full of women.

Three of the four White Silk Scroll Series are shown here. Each is six-feet high by four feet wide digitally printed on white silk crepe de chin as a limited edition of three.

I gave an art talk at an Art & Wine Mixer in The Laundry's Gallery.

And Figuratively Speaking, The Troll House (San Francisco, 2017)

During a Summer Art Residency at the Troll House at Pier 26 I worked in an unconventional, high, open space. Being on the water in the bright summer sunlight, with an audience just outside the windows and another audience within my space, helped me form the concept for this site-specific installation. The bright heat of summer drove me to work in sheers and overlays to see the sun and the outdoors come through the pieces. I created five eight-foot high sheer panels in jewel tones. Made to hang from the ceiling in overlapping panels, they barely touched a tall person’s head, but were easy to walk around. The series is called banderas because they like are flags and are fluid and move gently, forming new color combinations as they overlap, depending upon the light and time of day. Each panel consists of a female gesture drawing - powerful, yet light and graceful. They figures fill the room with their presence. They are emblems, representing a moral truth - I felt a need to create a penetrating force into the co-work space which was dominated by young male techies. When the workers came to the office the first day of the show they had to weave their way through to get to their loft workspace. Tey got to experience the sensation of moving through a roomful of giant naked women. They asked "when does this show come down"?

This series of gesture drawings is digitally printed onto white chiffon, then sewn and hung by rods and monofilament from the ceiling. Visible from two sides, seen indoors and outside, they are layered to overlap and change colors. Now being shown a… — This series of gesture drawings is digitally printed onto white chiffon, then sewn and hung by rods and monofilament from the ceiling. Visible from two sides, seen indoors and outside, they are layered to overlap and change colors. Now being shown at the Wessling Gallery September group exhibition, Friendly Fire.

Opening reception and art talk for the Banderas Series: A site-specific installation of five, eight-foot high sheer panels of gesture drawings. Digitally created drawings made on an iPad Pro from live models, they digitally printed onto white chiffo… — Opening reception and art talk for the Banderas Series: A site-specific installation of five, eight-foot high sheer panels of gesture drawings. Digitally created drawings made on an iPad Pro from live models, they digitally printed onto white chiffon, sewn around the edges, and hung from this very high ceiling.

Explaining the Banderas Series (with a monitor with my process videos) at the reception

With the first bandera in the entryway to the series

Viewable from both sides and from outside the windows as well as inside the gallery

At the Troll House Residency on Pier 26, I started out with a solo show which preceded the site-specific installation pieces above.

EXPOSED, BAYVIEW BOAT CLUB (SF, CA 2017)

Here's the gallery wall at the Bayview Boat Club, a private club on SF's Embarcadero, where I was invited for a month-long exhibition. I loved the atmosphere of this hidden gem!

REVEALS, SECRET AGENT SALON (SF, CA 2018)

Looking through my works for hair related pieces I discovered it's one of my themes! Going to the same salon for many years I always enjoyed the art shows they had. It's a large space with high ceilings and it's a great venue for people people to really look at the work. I love the crew here and they are very artistic in their entire approach. They were also an extremely appreciative audience for a show and threw a fantastic reception.

One of the many high walls at Secret Agent Salon in SF's Pacific Heights, where I was invited to have a spring 2018 solo show. In the center is Red Hair Curly and Straight, Reclining, surrounded by two of my more abstract works that deal with mirror… — One of the many high walls at Secret Agent Salon in SF's Pacific Heights, where I was invited to have a spring 2018 solo show. In the center is Red Hair Curly and Straight, Reclining, surrounded by two of my more abstract works that deal with mirror images. On the right is "Bay of Bengal Sunset", a digital photo / paint collage with no drawings. On the left is "Filled with Roses" another figurative collage.

Secret Agent Salon Reception with Steve Reeder, co-owner.

Secret Agent Salon Reception showing a display of my small prints and assorted art merchandise including a special show candle (top shelf).

Curated Group Exhibitions

“SEEN X UNSEEN”

“Seen x Unseen” Is the first group exhibition by The Invisibility Collective & Invited Artists | @ Radian Gallery (SF) | Dec 5-Jan 24, 2021

COLLECTIVE MEMBER ARTISTS

Lonnie Graham | Susan R. Kirshenbaum (Founding Artist/Coordinating Curator) | Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen | Samira Shaheen | Angela Tirrell

INVITED ARTISTS

Infinity - A Downtown Condo Complex (SF, CA 2019)

Invitational Show Curated by SFWA

This gorgeous SF condo complex - Infinity - invited SFWA to curate a show for their lobbies. The piece on the left is mine, “Indonesian Mood” (Ed. A/P 2019) which was selected for the show. April to June 2019 - By appointment only.

Advanced, The Office of Senator Scott Weiner (SF, CA 2018)

Invitational Show Curated by Joseph Abbati

Exhibition Video: https://youtu.be/yLbWedFnZnk

Participating artists: Alan Mazzetti, Ali Saif, Ann Phelan, Carolyn Crampton, Denise Laws, DK Haas, George-Ann Bowers, John Wood, Joseph Abbati, Judith Selby Lang, M. Kathryn Thompson, Marius Starkey, Michael Beckler, Miriam Owen, Mitch Nelles, Peter Keresztury, Reenie Charriere, Richard Lang, Roz Ritter, Rusty Weston, Sharon Wickham, Sofia Carmi, Stephen Santamari, Steve Condiotti, Susan R. Kirshenbaum, Tisha Kenny, Wendell Shinn, Rusty Weston, and William Salit. |

Paradise Lost, Back to the Picture (SF, CA 2018)

Invitational Show Curated by Catherine Merrill

"Art Will Save the World. Figurative Paintings & Sculptures by Eight Bay Area Artists Reflect Life in These Times of Darkness, Affirming the Unifying power of Art"

Paradise Lost relates to my desire to convey our everyday humanity - that which motivates people to embrace their human-ness and imperfections. Thinking back to the ideals of a Paradise, and what of what was lost, I too want people to overcome their discomfort about nudity. As long as a nude female body remains controversial I will have this battle to fight through my work. My models show a matter-of-fact naked truth. It's important to me to reflect who we really are and to to keep that uncensored. I want my viewers to be stirred. They might experience a little poke in the gut. To feel the presence of strong women and respond.

Invited artists: Catherine Merrill, Jane Fisher, Sylvie Guillot, Susan R. Kirshenbaum, Stephen Namara, Fernando Reyes, Rick Rodrigues, Michael Ruiz

Just after the group hung the show together

The show included sculpture and ceramics

Susan R. Kirshenbaum’s portrait was taken at Radian Gallery with “Banderas Series” (foreground and background) during the show. Image by Tony Wessling, Sept. 2018

October 2018 reception at Spark Arts Gallery (with model posing on right).

Reception with the gallery manager, Derek Hargrove

Friendly Fire, Radian Gallery

(SF, CA 2018)

Invitational

Throughout my life, I have somehow had the luck of drawing a remarkable circle of artists as friends. From those I met as a young art student at the University of Michigan, to more recent acquaintances from Burning Man, this show celebrates their lifelong passion for making work that truly moves people.

– Tony Wessling, Founding Director

Invited artists

Check this out! See my recent installation (take the 360 degree virtual tour) of my Banderas Series at Radian Gallery’s first group invitational show, “Friendly Fire” VR Tour at https://www.vpix.net/753007

Abstract & Figurative, Spark Arts Gallery

(SF, 2018)

Invitational two-person show

(included a life-drawing event)

Susan R. Kirshenbaum and Usha Shukla

Life/Live, Arc Gallery (SF, CA 2018)

Invitational live-drawing event & exhibition

Five artists were selected to draw two models for 7.5 minute poses with a live audience of patrons. We sold our work on the spot. For me - working on my iPad Pro with my first audience - this meant drawing then printing my work.

Invited artists: Arlene Diehl, Susan R. Kirshenbaum, Gail Ragains, Eric Saint Georges, & Julianne Wallace Sterling

Arc Gallery Closing Event with Artists' Talks, Life/Live Show, Spring 2018

See the Exhibition Catalogue:

https://issuu.com/arcgallery/docs/lifelive_2018

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

ArtSpan Open Studios (SF, 2016-Present)

The Laundry, SFWA, and The Allied Box Factory

Over the last few years I participated in Open Studios at The Laundry, at San Francisco Women Artists Gallery (SFWA), and at the Allied Box Factory.

Here’s my wall at SFWA Open Studios 2018. The show of new work was titled “Peeling Back the Layers”.

Here’s my Group of SFWA Member Artists at our joint Open Studios 2018. My show (behind us) was titled “Peeling Back the Layers”. Fellow artists: Jade, Candice, Amy, Debra, Angela, and Pam.

Allied Box Factory Open Studios 2017, at John Goodman's art studio where I draw every Monday. We had a small group show from Drawing Group for Open Studios in 2017.

Here are friends visiting at SFWA Open Studios 2018.

Here’s me and artist/member Usha Shukla at the opening reception at SFWA of two shows - Open Studios and Vibrant Visions in October 2018.

SAN FRANCISCO WOMEN ARTISTS GALLERY (SFWA) JURIED SHOWS

(SF, 2017-PRESENT)

As a member of SFWA I'm delighted to be part of a long history of SF-based women artists as this organization has been around for for over 150 years. I also enjoy being a part of my neighborhood - I'm so close to the Inner Sunset where I live that this is part of my turf. It's a very welcoming organization and a great way to participate in local juried shows.

SFWA was invited to have a show in San Jose at this financial services company during the first quarter of 2020. I curated and coordinated the exhibition. Here I am on “hanging day” with two pieces from my “Barbie on the Cusp” series.

The opening of “A Leap Year” with Ashley Voss, juror. One of my two pieces in the show (by my head) sold.

My drawing with photo collage titled “Asleep in the Moss” is in the show “Hidden Figures” which stayed up for several months as COVID kept the gallery closed until SFWA’s re-opening in July 2020.

SFWA reception next to my two pieces “Woman Warrior” and “Karen at Carnaval” in “Celebrating Bay Area Culture”, May 2019

SFWA reception next to my piece in “Textures and Patterns”, April 2019

Below my pieces in the 2018 SFWA show “GAIA: Age of Climate Change” a framed aluminum print.

December 2018, “Small Presents”, Series of three 10-inch square shadowbox pieces (right).

More Events & Shows

Here are photos from 2016-18 exhibitions, auctions, and pop-ups.

Blueberry Farm Pop-Up Holiday Art Show & Sale, with a local group of artists in Sebastopol, CA, 2016

At Maker and Moss, my first Pop-up Art Show & Sale featured a lot of my textile art. SF, CA, Oct 2016

SNAP! Annual show and sale at Arc Gallery, SF, CA, 2018

Kids & Art Juried Benefit Fundraiser held by Art Attack SF in 2017. They used my artwork for their event marketing. I participated again in 2018.

With "Springtime is from Within" in 2017 at SFWA.

CITY ART COOP GALLERY

I showed this work (on the wall) in June 2020 when we re-opened the gallery after many months of COVID closure.

GALLERY MEMBERSHIPS

I served as Exhibitions Director for San Francisco Women Artists Gallery (SFWA) from 2018 through July 2020. I am still serve on the Board and am an active member. Located in the Inner Sunset on Irving Street the gallery is near Golden Gate Park, the DeYoung Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the SF Botanical Garden (SF).

As a member of City Art Coop we are all truly a part of this wonderfully diverse organization located in the heart of the Mission District on Valencia Street between 19th-20th Streets (SF).

I am also a member of Berkeley Art Center and participate in their annual shows.