Susannah's brief has been to make new works, over a three-month period, in response to permanent collections and other arts activities at Castle Lane, of which education and outreach activities have formed a significant part. The Artist in Residence project is also an opportunity for the artist to, 'buy time' and develop her professional practice away from normal pressures of work. Susannah says, "…I had got used to producing works to commission in collaboration with others, trying to fulfil their wishes, whereas, this is like going back to college again and being told 'play' and as such is at once, very scary and very exciting!"

Susannah Oliver is working with the collection at Bedford Museum, and has become particularly interested by the relationship of people to exhibits, and the histories of the objects; as well as the place and role of function of museums. Susannah further says, "…It's been great to have such access to such a rich and diverse resource! I have been using the Museum collection to explore why we need objects, why we select and collect certain things and how we organise them. I have been investigating collectors and collecting and looking at ways to release memories and create stories from the objects. " The Artist in Residence has enabled Susannah to pursue a completely new strand of work.

© Susannah Oliver 2003
The copyright to all the images remains in the hands of the artist.