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York St John graduate is commissioned to ‘Just do it’

Suzanne Davies

Nike has selected a York St John University graduate, Susanne Davies, to create a site specific installation at the Nike House of Innovation at Selfridges in London as part of the global sportswear company’s Olympic events.

Nike is renowned for hosting a series of events in the host city of each Olympic Games.  During the next six weeks, the public can visit the House of Innovation, where Nike will be launching a brand new trainer called flyknit that claims to be the lightest ever made.

Susanne’s installation work is inspired by the flyknit manufacturing which produces the new trainer from one thread.  Commenting on her successful new commission, Susanne said: “This has been an amazing privilege and experience, working with the designers at Nike and Green Room Retail to create a space within a space at the Ultra Lounge in Selfridges.  Working with the flyknit product and the spools from which the product was made, felt within the whole ethos of my practice.  I was really excited by the project. Working on this has given me a real insight into working within a huge project, I am so pleased I was able to be part of this.”

Susanne Davies graduated from York St John University with a degree in Fine Art in 2010 and is now a successful installation artist based in York.  Her work responds to architectural spaces, being both site responsive and site specific. The linear use of material and the repetitive labour involved connect to notions of the feminine, domestic and industrial histories both personal and collective. Time, space and movement are integral throughout her work, from the hours demanded by its production to that spent navigating the space. Her work holds empathy for site and engages the viewer in the re-ordering of space. The material substance of her work makes up an atmosphere which embodies differing properties, so it’s not about the work, but the conversation with place.

Susanne is also currently working on a major commission for the new Headquarters for York City Council, which opens this year in the brand new West Offices building at Station Rise. 

Visit Susanne's website to find out more.