ARTIST STATEMENT:

Clay and vessels have always been inextricably entwined. The default focus on this relationship places ceramics as a container for sustenance and beauty, but clay can also be a container for story; A vessel for myth, folklore, history, and world-building. In my current body of work, clay has become a vessel for whimsy. With playful forms inspired by myth and fairytale, I aim to create a world of childlike wonder filled with curious and unexpected creatures, and which focuses around the idea of the forest guardian. Through this, I hope to reignite a sense of protectiveness for our natural world.

BIO:

Stefanie Smith is a Canadian ceramic artist with a wandering spirit. She has been based in Newfoundland, Ontario, Alberta, and currently Wales, and has participated in artist residencies around the world. Stefanie’s work moves and evolves as much as her home does. While her first clay home was functional pottery, she is now setting down roots in the world of sculpture. Presently her focus is on figuration, the power of play, and the importance of story. Throughout her journeys through form and process, some elements travel with her, including a passion for ornament, and a draw towards the natural world.

Year-Long Artist: September 2024 – July 2025