Through the Artist's Lens
We first met Suzette Bross, a talented lens-based artist living and working in Chicago, Illinois, when she asked Alessandra to decorate her new home in Palm Beach. As an artist, Suzette's practice explores notions of time, technology, liminality and community. Suzette’s artworks are realized as individual objects, installations, in book form and as public art. Among the permanent collections that feature her work are the Art Institute of Chicago, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago and the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University.
Through her community-based work, Suzette hopes to engage viewers and demonstrate the significance of art in the everyday. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit arts organization, CPS Lives, which creates residencies for artists in Chicago Public Schools to create art, engage students and share stories about the importance of public school education.Today we take a look at the photos that Suzette has shared of her new home in Palm Beach. We especially love the juxtaposition of our new Primavera collection with Suzette's exceptional art collection. We hope you enjoy taking a peek into #LaVitaCasaBranca!
✤ Q & A ✤
What drew you to Branca when it was time to decorate your home?
Alessandra and I are family friends. I photographed her adorable children when they were young in her beautiful home in Chicago. I have always loved Alessandra’s original blend of classically casual and elegant ease.When we bought our house during the pandemic and needed to be in a few months, Alessandra was a star. She and her team created a wonderful cozy home where my family could live for the rest of the pandemic. When the world opened up, she was able to complete her creative vision for our home. Alessandra understood how to respect the classical colonial spaces of our house but make them work with the way we live today.
What do you like about the Casa Branca in your home?
The color palette and the quality. The colors are pure and sing in the Florida sunshine. The patterns are that wonderful Branca blend of classical made modern.
Can you tell us a little about your process as an artist?
I use cameras like a painter uses various types of brushes. I work with the old 4x5 cameras where you have to put a dark cloth over your head, to my phone and other imaging technologies like old scanners to make my art and tell my stories.
Favorite artist?
That is like asking me who is your favorite child. :) I have many favorites - from artists whose work influenced me when I was young, to friends, undiscovered older artists and young artists. The through line is inspiration. Work that makes me go Wow! and see the world in a different way is the work I collect.
Where do you find inspiration?
Friends, family, and the world around me. From a morning walk, a phrase in a podcast to the afternoon light on my child’s face. If something makes me pause, relook and reconsider, I become moved to make work.
The green lacquered ceiling and seashell chandelier inspired this custom Bambù wallpaper colorway . On the right, our Sky Madagascar is the perfect backdrop to the Patty Carroll still life.
