"Partridge in a Pear tree"

Hurricane Sandy: Reportage Drawings

In the Fields

Collaborative Concepts, 2012 Saunders Farm Project, Garrison, NY 

Aluminum & Sapele Mahogany 8' x 5' x 4'

It is estimated that at the turn of the century one farmer could produce enough to feed 10 people. Today with machine farming one farm can produce enough to feed 155 people. The invention of the combine machine was the introduction to machine farming.

This sculpture is dedicated to machine farming with the reminiscence of hand farming. The sculpture was created out of aluminum and sapele mahogany. I chose sapele mahogany for its beauty, the same beauty of the hands that tended the soil. I used aluminum to represent the entrance of new technology, machine farming. The sculpture sits upright at Saunders Farm. The openings in the sculpture lets the viewer see though to the sustainable fields where the cows roam free. 

Thank you to Collaborative Concepts.

On view through November 1, 2012. For more information and directions go to: www.collaborativeconcepts.com.

Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea™

Whale Oil's Influence

My work is exhibited at Mystic Seaport Museum as part of "Restoring a Past, Charting a Future: An Artistic Discovery of America's Whaling Legacy by Dalvero Academy,"  

The effect that The Morgan and whaling had on American history is explored throughout my work in this exhibit.  As a result of the capital generated by whaling, this epic period in history changed our nation from a maritime country to an industrial nation.  Using letters and journals written by The Morgan's crew members and other historical documents, I examined how America was shaped by one of the most prominent businesses of its time. 

The World Whaling Built, and How it Changed

Using a timeline I created an interactive book that revealed the history of whaling in America. This narrative was presented through puppetry, video/animation, and sculpture.  

Charles W. Morgan Revisited

I would like to give a special thanks to Quentin Snediker, the Director of the Shipyard. Without his support and enthusiasm for art this project would not have been possible. I am proud to be part of this extraordinary exhibit. 

Pieces are exhibited though the Fall 2013. 

For more information about this exhibit visit www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=360A0590-1E4F-379B-6086D51DBF693D98

Never Forget, the 92nd Anniversary

Photographs of the Veteran's Day Parade 

WWII Veteran

Every November the United War Veteran's Council puts on a parade to commemorate the brave men and women of our nation's armed services, and, every year, they choose a different theme. The theme last year was, "Never Forget," a sentiment especially important considering the many anniversaries it witnessed. 

Not only did the 11-11-11 parade mark the 92nd anniversary of the very first New York City Veteran's Day Parade-- which itself celebrated the end of World War I--it marked 10 years since September 11th, and the start of our war in Afghanistan. It marked 50 years since the beginning of major American military involvement in Vietnam in 1961, and 70 since the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. With these many milestones, it truly was a time for remembering.

With its rich history and its powerful mission, the New York City Veteran's Day Parade has always held a very special place in my heart. Of the hundreds of photos I took to document the day, I am sharing a few more below. I hope they give a sense of the immensity of the occasion, and its importance, not only to those being honored, but to all of us who enjoy the fruits of their labor.

This year's theme was a good one: may we Never Forget.

WWII Veteran , Medal of Honor recipient, Nicholas Oresko

Old Friends

 

Remembering Their Elders              

Never Forget

                                                 

WWII Veteran

Showing Support

Tuskegee Airmen

                

The Next Generation

New York City's Veteran's Day Parade, 11-11-11

Photographs of the Veteran's Day Parade

The Navy

Every November since 1919, New York City has held a parade to honor our nation's veterans. With an average of 25,000 people in attendance, it is easily the the most popular event of its kind in the country. 

Veterans of every war since WWII, come from across the United States, from every branch of our military, to participate. This year, I am pleased to say, I was able to document the celebration. 

Over the course of the day, as the procession marched up 5th Ave, I shot over 600 photographs, some of my favorites of which I'll share below.

I saw thousands of heroes last month, and as I took these pictures, I was reminded continually of the courage, the comradery, the grace, and the selflessness each of them had shown by serving our country. Truly, their service is one of our nation's greatest treasures.

I hope that I have captured the excitement and the joy of the parade, as well as the solemnity of the occasion. November 11th is a special day for all of us, one that reminds us of the sacrifices others have made, and are still making, on our behalf. May we never forget those who put themselves in harm's way to defend our country.

Police escort to the start of parade

WWII Veteran, Ray Stone and Felix Novelli

Grand Marshall,John Rowan National President, Vietnam Veterans of America

My Hero and fellow New Yorker,   General David H. Petraeus

Old friends

The Protector of Our Freedom

Veterans from the USS Intrepid

From the Bus on the Way to the Parade

He Remembers

Excitement and Joy!

 

Handing Out Flags

The Navy

Never Forgotten

Great Smiles

Thank You

Land of Tribute

Exhibited as part of a group show in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery , Dix Hills, NY
15" wide 28" high 
Mahogany and Walnut Wood

The Native American Indians referred to Long Island as "Paumonock" meaning
"Land of Tribute." Not only was it a great location for fishing, in its shape they saw the image of a fish. 

Drawing on the symbolism of the Native American Indians I have built the platform of this sculpture to represent a fish. Its mouth is Jamaica Bay and its tail, forming the two peninsulas, is tipped by Orient and Montauk Points. The platform grounds the sculpture in history.

The sculpture leads upward from this point of history to portray the island industrializing.  Long Island Sound to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south have always provided ample fishing, but it wasn't until the island was connected to the mainland by bridges that it developed an industrial economy. From its fish-shaped platform, the sculpture extends upward following the lines of those bridges.

Long Island has grown from a land of fishing ports to the industrialized land it is today. "Land of Tribute" pays homage to this great history.


Susan Buroker