Suzanne Dittenber’s work playfully examines the inputs and byproducts of both industrial and agrarian food systems. She uses a hybrid paper making and painting methodology that involves synthesizing the hand-built with the mass-produced to create unique iterations. In exploring the subject of small-scale agricultural practices, she visits farms throughout Western North Carolina, most recently focusing her attention on Grassroots Farm and Dairy in Marshall, NC. Her work captures the humanity of agricultural oases, highlighting loving care for animals and local creation of high integrity food products.
Suzanne Dittenber received her BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design, her MFA from the University of New Hampshire, and has completed studies at the New York Studio School and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally at Florida State University, Michigan State University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Wiregrass Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, Mana Contemporary, Blue Mountain Gallery, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Chiba City Museum Art, and CICA Museum. Dittenber has been awarded artist residency grants at Jentel Arts, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, The Vermont Studio Center, MICA’s Alfred and Trafford Klots Residency in Brittany, France, and the Heliker LaHotan Foundation Residency on Cranberry Island, Maine. She is an Associate Professor of Painting at UNC Asheville.