Susan Schmidt, an award-winning Australian artist, is celebrated for her vibrant figurative paintings inspired by nature and coastal life. While her Seaburbia series nostalgically captures Australian beach houses, her exposure to Singapore’s historic shop houses revealed a shared story of cultural heritage. Fascinated by their patterns, colours, and weathered textures, Schmidt highlights conservation and sustainable living across borders through her distinctive techniques.
About Orient Blue, Susan Schmidt says: “I discovered the nostalgia and heritage of the ‘shop house’ whilst exhibiting in Singapore. The oriental and exotic, the repetition, colour, and pattern of the tiles and decorative features were an instant attraction. Capturing the history, weatherworn texture, and residue of time using the same painting techniques as my ‘beach house’ works was irresistible. It’s the same story crossing borders and cultures, underpinned by my concern for conservation, sustainable living, and repurposing the existing.”