Syd smith ceramics
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Clay is a material that continues to fascinate me every day. I started my ceramics career making exclusively wheel-thrown, utilitarian work, and still cherish the first mug I made in 2017. Since then I have worked to learn as much as possible about the ceramic medium. One process that has recently become my obsession is wood firing. The fact that the result of one piece is not dependent on that work alone, but instead is dependent on its surroundings, the atmosphere, the environment, the team of people firing the kiln, and so much more is exhilarating and the results aren't bad either.
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Now, my practice revolves around ceramic sculpture with the idea that utilitarian forms are sculptural in their own sense. My hand built works, however, carry significant meaning, and I use clay as a medium to address personal reflection. I have used ceramic sculpture to explore my sexuality, substance use, and body image. Recent works discussed these issues by making recognizable forms from clay. I am currently exploring my gender identity through ceramics creating forms with gestural quality to mimic how I view my own body. These pieces, while difficult to work through, are a reminder of the vessel like attributes of the human body as well as the ability to alter oneself.