In Flux

July 19 - December 28, 2019

Jessica Smith is a visual artist who lives and works in western Alabama. She has taught at the University of West Alabama for fourteen years and currently serves as an associate professor of art.  

Of her work, she says:

“Each sculpture is comprised of many clay gummy bears that are assembled into a tessellating composite. Moldmaking is my effort to celebrate systems of mass-production while recognizing the tender reality that each cast offers slight fluctuations. Inferior pressings experience rebirth through the clay reclaim process. Ultimately, there is an erosion of the original mold because a mold breaks down the more it is used. These sculptural forms speak toward obsessive compulsion and the comfort of smallness. Movement, chance, and rhythm are concerns explored during the fabrication state. Ceramics is a material that effectively captures and responds to an environment.”

Smith grew up in the Chicago area, completed a B.F.A at the New York State College of Ceramics, and received her M.F.A. from Tulane University in New Orleans. When she is not in her studio, chances are good that you can find her baking pastries in her kitchen or swaying on her yoga mat.