We recently had the chance to connect with Amy Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Amy, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I have been curating community eco-art events for kids and adults. I love finding new and creative ways for people to express themselves while still engaging in the environmental conversation. I received my first grant from Burbank to curate an event in November I’m excited about. It’s an eco art fest that includes collaborations with other ecocentric community driven organizations that run clothing swaps, mending and repair cafe, and screen printing workshops. I have a desire to bring these ideas together to present more ideas of how we can renew, reuse, repair to consume less, waste less, and be more intentional.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amy Smith. I’m a mixed media artist, curator, and futurist. It’s important to me that my work starts conversations about abundance, sustainability, and memory. Our ability to intentionally construct and deconstruct, what materials we use, and how it affects the world around us, will be the difference between thriving and surviving. My work is hopeful, grounded in a discovery to understand our true connection to nature. It draws upon a collective consciousness and the unlearning of practices that no longer serve us. Inspired by feminist and environmentalism movements, I infuse these themes into my work.
I focus on ecoart practices. This includes using found and upcycled materials, old packaging, cardboard, a variety of paper, magazines, paper pulp, and more. I recently started making 3D paper sculptures and collage and encaustic work.
In addition to the artwork I create, I also love curating community events. I think if we are talking about sustainability and abundance, it’s important to bring other people to the table to also experience those feelings through art. By providing opportunities for people to engage in art and eco focused events, this symbolizes what is important in our current climate and culture.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I’ve always been curious about the world and once I heard Eckhart Tolle speak more in depth about his book, ‘The Power of Now’ I really found a new way of seeing and understanding the world. I return to it every so often for reminders.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I have always been very shy, extremely shy when I was younger. I thought I grew out of that until I realized I won’t show up to events and things because I had such heavy social anxiety. I would miss groups shows I had art in and just decide I wasn’t going. I’d make up excuses and I never really understood why. I think that’s really tough because as an artist you are relying on the relationships you make and build. Once I realized what was happening I was able to find tools and ways to work around it. But that has only been pretty recently.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
There’s only one version of me everyone knows though I do enjoy dressing up and exploring my different masculine and feminine energies.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I am very interested in biomaterials like mycelium as I see those materials being the future of sustainability and super exciting.
I hope to be working with those materials in the near future, curating residencies, workshops, and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amysmith.art/
- Instagram: amysmithart
