Susan ClaySmith’s childhood interest in clay led her to study Ceramics at Sheridan College School of Design. During her 3 years at Sheridan, she focused on hand building and sculptural work.
After migrating to Smithers, BC her ceramics practice was interrupted when she started a family and a paddle-sports business. She rekindled her love of clay after partnering with another ceramic artist while living in Alberta. Returning to Smithers in 2010, she re-established a committed studio practice. Her recent explorations in printmaking on functional ware and hand-built sculptural works is influenced by local narratives and her love of the outdoors.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am interested in creating work that is unique, tells a story and brings beauty and pleasure into everyday life and rituals. My inspirations come from nature, my life-long love of rivers and oceans and many years of living in northern BC.
My work is formed with a range of hand-built and thrown forms. I begin with an overall vision of the work and the malleable nature of the material invites playful interaction. My recent works explore a wide range of surface treatments, utilizing coloured slips, underglazes and various printing techniques at both the greenware, bisque and overglaze stages.
