Good-bye Susan Mitchenson

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July 23, 2014

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August 4, 2014

(Swakopmund, Namibia – 24 July 2014) – One of Namibia’s Icons of Art, Conservation and Humanities: Susan Mitchinson, has passed away. Mitchinson aged 61 passed away on the evening of Monday the 21st of July in Swakopmund after battling cancer.

She lived on a smallholding in the Namib desert outside Swakopmund, with her horses where her Studio was located. Mitchinson leaves behind two daughters, Abigail Guerier (34) and Rebecca Mitchinson (22).

Born and raised in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England, Susan received her Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Caen in France. She was largely autodidactic with her artwork and skilled in various mediums. Susan Mitchinson fell in love with Namibia in1984 and decided that this is where she would be spending the rest of her life. During the past 30 years, her art grew to include the influence Africa and Namibians had on her life.

Today, the UK High commission in Namibia stated the following, after being informed of her passing:

“With sadness the British High Commission has learnt of the passing away of Swakopmund-based British artist Susan Mitchinson. We wish the family, and all the people who loved her work, strength in this time of mourning.”

Internationally renowned, Mitchinson has exhibited her artwork extensively throughout the years in the United Kingdom and various countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. Her works are in numerous private and public collections around the world. In addition, Susan’s art has been represented in various public institutions in Namibia and around the world including the National Gallery of Namibia, the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia and the United States, and the Oslo Teaching Hospital.

Susan was a dynamic and outspoken artist, freedom of movement, expression, conservation, choice and association were prime requisites in her life. Through her intense experiencing of the world, these were fused into her memory and expressed in the patient grain of her works. ‘She believed that through the beauty of the ARTS we can be reminded of our humanness and be a hope for the future’.