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2014-15 Artist in Residence Exit Exhibition: “My Name is Nobody” by Matthew Smith at Clay Art Center

Growing out of the historical roots of a particular place, Matthew creates videos, installations, and functional objects that engage specific beings and materials in authentic situations.

Matthew Smith ArtistMatthew Smith Artist Statement:
Growing out of the physical, geographical, and historical roots of a particular place, my studio practice engages specific beings and materials in authentic situations. The materials demanded, concepts handled, and the techniques used are dependent upon the people, places, and things I see in my everyday environment. In many of these situations I see a paradox. Defining and addressing that paradox takes many artistic forms. Elements of social practice, site-specific sculpture, mapping, performance, video, and installation permeate my interdisciplinary studio practice.
Sifting across disciplines, certain tendencies do arise in my work. Clay and ceramic are materials that historically have been important to me, as pottery was a mainstay in my studio practice. My time as a potter formed a knowledge base of materials and processes, along with ideas about craft, art, and objecthood. In many of my projects these foundations create the starting point to think through ideas. Typically a project culminates with a component of these materials, processes, or ideas. The conceptual aspects of my work vary according to each individual situation, but many projects deal with facets of anthropocentrism. I am interested in how our human-centered view of the world affects ourselves, other living beings, and the places where we all subsist.

About the Artist:
Matthew Smith is an artist and educator who has been working in clay for 10 years. He was born and raised in Indiana and went to Anderson University to receive a B.A. in Art Education with an emphasis in ceramics. After teaching elementary art in public schools for six years, he spent the last year as a special student at Syracuse University. During several summers he has been a student, teaching assistant, and studio technician at the Chautauqua School of Art in western New York. He will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder in the fall to pursue a MFA in ceramics.

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 11, 6 – 8pm

Clay Art Center
40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY 10573

Website: www.clayartcenter.org