Jan Smith
Artist Statement
Born in New Westminster, BC, Canada I have spent most of my life on the west coast of BC. The essence of the place where I live is imbedded in my work. I maintain an independent studio practice on Salt Spring Island, BC
My current work centers on themes of impermanence, fragility and loss. It celebrates the beauty of temporal environmental conditions concentrating on the effects of subtle marks and colour nuances in a wearable object.
Drawing inspiration from everyday overlooked ephemeral conditions I construct work with a tactile delicacy. I am creating a language or code through mark making using repetitive lines and dots and layers of enamel. It is an invented language emphasising the vulnerability of my environment; which due to climate change is increasingly threated by wind and water erosion. My jewellery are markers of moments that transfix me and offer reflection on fragility and vulnerability of the ecosystem.
Bio
Jan Smith (she/her) graduated BFA 1981 from NSCAD and studied jewelry in the USA. Jan has exhibited in solo and group shows across Canada, France, United States, England, and Wales. Smith’s work is found in private and public collections including the Canada Council Art Bank and The Enamel Foundation, USA, The Metal Museum, USA. Jan is the recipient of several awards including the Hilde Gerson Award 2022, Helen Pitt Fund for Fine Art, a four-year annual grant, and Juror’s Awards from The Enamelist Society and the Northern CA Enamel Guild.
Jan has participated in Artist Residencies at NSCADU, Halifax NS, Smitten Forum, Mendocino CA, Pentaculum, Arrowmont, Gatlinburg TN and Project Mesh, Pocosin, NC. Smith’s work has been featured in various publications including New Brooches and New Earrings, and five of the Lark 500 series books. Smith co-founded and served as president for the Vancouver Metal Arts Association. As an active member of the arts community, she has served on the Seattle Metal Guild, Salt Spring Arts Council and Malaspina Printmakers boards, hosted a work study mentorship for students in her studio and teaches workshops across Canada and the US.
Born in New Westminster, BC, Canada I have spent most of my life on the west coast of BC. The essence of the place where I live is imbedded in my work. I maintain an independent studio practice on Salt Spring Island, BC
My current work centers on themes of impermanence, fragility and loss. It celebrates the beauty of temporal environmental conditions concentrating on the effects of subtle marks and colour nuances in a wearable object.
Drawing inspiration from everyday overlooked ephemeral conditions I construct work with a tactile delicacy. I am creating a language or code through mark making using repetitive lines and dots and layers of enamel. It is an invented language emphasising the vulnerability of my environment; which due to climate change is increasingly threated by wind and water erosion. My jewellery are markers of moments that transfix me and offer reflection on fragility and vulnerability of the ecosystem.
Bio
Jan Smith (she/her) graduated BFA 1981 from NSCAD and studied jewelry in the USA. Jan has exhibited in solo and group shows across Canada, France, United States, England, and Wales. Smith’s work is found in private and public collections including the Canada Council Art Bank and The Enamel Foundation, USA, The Metal Museum, USA. Jan is the recipient of several awards including the Hilde Gerson Award 2022, Helen Pitt Fund for Fine Art, a four-year annual grant, and Juror’s Awards from The Enamelist Society and the Northern CA Enamel Guild.
Jan has participated in Artist Residencies at NSCADU, Halifax NS, Smitten Forum, Mendocino CA, Pentaculum, Arrowmont, Gatlinburg TN and Project Mesh, Pocosin, NC. Smith’s work has been featured in various publications including New Brooches and New Earrings, and five of the Lark 500 series books. Smith co-founded and served as president for the Vancouver Metal Arts Association. As an active member of the arts community, she has served on the Seattle Metal Guild, Salt Spring Arts Council and Malaspina Printmakers boards, hosted a work study mentorship for students in her studio and teaches workshops across Canada and the US.