Arts & Entertainment
New Suffolk Artist Finds Her 'True North' in Local Scenes
Swiss artist Garance Werthmuller fell in love with the North Fork 15 years ago.
Renowned artist and New Suffolk resident Garance Werthmuller describes her life’s work as stories, which the beauty of the North Fork and its surroundings help inspire.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
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A: I was born in Switzerland, into a family of artists. My mother was an accomplished painter and sculptor in Paris. I loved her work. She had a big influence on me. My own career began in the 1970s in Europe. There was a great scene developing. Lots of crazy people, many who have remained lifelong friends. It was a wonderfully rich time to be coming up as an artist. I started getting some recognition, some press, group shows and, eventually, my own shows in North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. There were many exhibits. It was a very exciting time.
Q: You continue to show here and in Europe?
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A: Yes, I have several shows a year.
Q: You’ve also won awards for your set designs, haven’t you?
Yes, I’ve done many set designs for theatrical productions around the world.
Q: How did a world traveler like you end up on the North Fork?
A: In 1985, I came to America on a grant from my home town of Zürich. It was for a year and it provided me with a studio in a loft on West Broadway. My husband and I loved New York, so we stayed. An artist is always looking for more and more space. So we drove out to New Suffolk one day just to breathe some fresh air and take a look around. I found an empty building that used to be a supermarket and I put down a deposit that day! That was 15 years ago.
Q: How would you describe your work?
A: My paintings are stories. They are meaningful to all who can appreciate the beauty and simplicity of signs, colors and forms."
Q: What keeps you here?
A: The wild birds, my gardens, the sea. They continue to inspire me.
Q: What is your favorite spot on the North Fork?
A: My studio.
Q: How has living here changed you?
A: I wear flat shoes now!
Garance paints every day and beautifies the local scenery with her unique presence and generous spirit. Tour her studio and experience her paintings, sculpture, pottery and more at garancestudio.com/
Garance is one of the featured artists in the “Northfork by Northfork” Art Show at the Galley Ho in New Suffolk. A percentage of the show's proceeds will benefit the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund. The show is open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday in August, from noon until 9 p.m.
