Susan Houdek-Sogaro Italian Ceramics and Diorama Artist |
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Meet the Artist Czech born, raised in Ethiopia, Susan spent her grownup years in the cradle of the artistic world – Italy. Having immigrated to Rome in 1975, she raised her family and kept a full time job in the travel industry for over 30 years there.
Susan went to Porcelain painting school and later took up Ceramics training. She was greatly inspired by the Umbrian antique ceramics as well as those with diverse origins such as the Venetian and Sicilian which have borne the influence of various cultures over the centuries.
She then went on to explore the world of Artistic Dioramas and took training on the Roman technique. Working alongside Maestro Presepista Antonio Binotto she undertook to understand the intricacies of building scale models of middle aged townships for Nativity Dioramas. She then furthered her experience by creating her own models and experimenting with different materials; her Bethlehem scene “Lo Storico” won 3rd. place in the Regional contest. First place was given to the Church construction of 172sq. ft. which she herself had helped Maestro Binotto build for 2 consecutive years. Her Roman schooling shows on most of Susan’s pieces. In the Diorama below she has elegantly reproduced a small dwelling and wine bar at the foot of the Roman Aqueduct. These buildings still stand today as depicted, in the quiet archeological zone of Appia Antica in Rome |
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Diorama
The inventor and proprietor of the Diorama was Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (1787–1851), formerly a decorator, manufacturer of mirrors, painter of Panoramas, and masterly designer and painter of theatrical stage illusions. The current, popular understanding of the term “Diorama” denotes a partially three-dimensional, full-size replica or scale model of a landscape typically showing historical events, nature scenes, cityscapes, etc., for purposes of education or entertainment.
The Origin of today’s Diorama Nativity representation
According to St. Francis's biographer, St. Bonaventure, Francis asked Pope Honorius III for permission to keep Christmas in the year 1223 in his own way and the Pope granted his request. Francis asked his friend, landowner Giovanni Vellita, to prepare everything for a special Christmas Mass in Greccio, Italy. "If now it seems good to thee that we should celebrate this feast together, go before me to Greccio and prepare everything as I tell thee. I desire to represent the birth of that Child in Bethlehem in such a way that with our bodily eyes we may see what He suffered for lack of the necessities of a newborn Babe and how He lay in manger between the ox and ass."This representation is today replicated in Italian and other European homes making use of small 3” figurines and making houses from carton boxes.
The Artist is here shown during the construction of the St. Michael's Church Diorama with Maestro Antonio Binotto.
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Susan is also available to speak to Networking groups or teach small groups on this unique antique art. Having been a Classroom Teacher for over 10 years she has the skills neccessary and the desire to share her love for Italian Artistic Dioramas. She is a Volonteer Speaker for Colleges & Universities on Integration having a very intricate family history that embraces 3 Continents, 4 Nations and flights to the 'free world'. For speaking engagements please e-mail her at: info@susansogaro.com Click here to read the Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists. Enjoy the text, whatever your Creed, for it is truly inspiring.
You can now leave any personal comments on the Artist's Blog or YouTube videos. |
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