Descended from a long line of revolutionary artists, some of Susan Folwell’s earliest memories are of working in clay with her mother and grandmother. She initially resisted ceramics: “For a long time, I wondered why someone would want to do chores for a living.” Her mindset changed in high school, and Folwell is now known for works addressing contemporary issues, bridging humor, history, and popular culture. She emphasizes the importance of tradition, which she asserts, “is living history, and I am a part of that.” In addition to drawing from pop culture and Santa Clara tradition, Folwell has studied the Taos Society of Artists and created a series of works that respond to paintings by TSA members.

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About Dreamscape, Folwell writes:

“I drew inspiration from the Taos Society of Artists while designing this canteen. During the process, my uncle passed away. He was born and raised in Santa Clara Pueblo and was a potter, and this piece became a way to honor both his life and his cultural traditions.

“I used a redwood stain called ‘crimson fire’ to reflect the color of traditional red glaze in Pueblo pottery. At the bottom of the canteen, I included three holes to symbolize birth, life, and death. In Pueblo tradition, when a person dies, a hole is made in the bottom of a pot. Small pieces of food are placed inside, representing a sharing with the spirit—nourishment for its journey beyond this life.

“The seated woman on the canteen represents a moment of rest or dreaming. I imagine her envisioning an elder singing—a song meant to guide the spirit peacefully into the universe. This imagery reflects a sense of transition, connection, and continuity between the living and those who have passed.”