Susan Gunn

Susan Gunn
Artist Susan Gunn at an exhibition in 2012
Born	Greater Manchester, England
Residence	Cheshire, England
Education	Norwich University of the Arts
Occupation	Artist
Website	Susan Gunn Artist

Susan Gunn was born in Greater Manchester, England in 1965, she studied at Norwich University of the Arts where she was awarded a First Class BA Honours in Fine Art Painting in 2004. In 2006 she was awarded the inaugural Sovereign European Art Prize, In 2014 she was commissioned to create a twenty-metre painting for the £11.6 million low carbon building project 'The Enterprise Centre' at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. She is a member of Contemporary British Painting.

Gunn's artworks are made using traditional binders imbued with beeswax and linseed, natural earth pigments and layers of traditionally made gesso. The surface undergoes a natural process beyond the control of the artist and renders each painting unique.

Gunn was awarded the inaugural Sovereign European Art Prize in 2006 ahead of 300 artists from over twenty countries with her 10 feet high red painting, Specto Specus I & II. Sir Peter Blake, one of the judges, said of her work "I think she is a very talented artist and her paintings are incredibly beautiful objects."

Susan Gunn lives in Cheshire, England, she is married to Bryan Gunn a former professional footballer and football manager. Gunn was interested in art at a young age attending a foundation course in art at Bolton College, England, she did not complete the course leaving at the age of eighteen to pursue a career in modelling. According to The Daily Telegraph, before her marriage, Susan was "a beauty queen turned lingerie model" who "launched a fashion business". The couple met in Spain, where Susan had a bridal wear company, when Gunn was there on holiday. She told the Telegraph, "When I first met Bryan, I knew nothing about football and had no idea who he was because he told me he was a joiner." Gunn explained that he was unsure what her attitude would be to footballers; he later confessed his calling to her. He proposed within three days of their meeting, and they were married the following year. They lived in Framingham Pigot, near Norwich, until moving to Cheshire in May 2011. The Gunns have had three children: Francesca, Melissa and Angus. They have two children, Melissa and Angus, her first child Francesca was diagnosed with leukaemia and died aged two after a year of chemotherapy. Melissa is a model, while their son, Angus, is a footballer and plays in goal, like his father. On the books as a youth player at Norwich City, in October 2010 he was selected for England under-16s, a full year ahead of the age group. In July 2011, Angus joined Manchester City; he has "sharp reflexes and strong wrists" and an "ambitious streak".