Megan Smock
The work I create is a physical manifestation of my experiences with grief and trauma. I am interested in the cathartic value of art. My practice investigates the transformation of loss and pain into works that are beautiful and poetic. It is my goal to be vulnerable, honest, and intimate in everything I create.
My work often takes the format of site-specific installations, poetry, books, and ceramics. I am drawn to the ephemeral quality of site-specific installations, and allowing the process of impermanence to inform the content of my work. I am interested in working with transparent fabrics, natural dyeing, handmade paper, projections, and clay because each material has its own connotation that supports the content of my work. I tend to personify materials in a metaphorical sense so that I can empathize with them and allow those traits to inform my content, such as the duality of strength and fragility in clay. My hope is that the viewer can empathize with the materials as well, in a way that informs their interpretation of the themes I am speaking to in my work.
I am invested in a sustainable practice. When choosing materials, I often consider the impact those choices will make and do my best to work in the most ecological way possible. For this reason, I am drawn to using natural dyes, recycled materials, and natural fabrics. This reflects in the content of my work, which often alludes to nature and interconnectedness. I believe that I am accountable, as a maker, to be informed about the materials I am using.