As part of Spokane Arts June Queer Artwalk, Trackside is honored to feature the ceramic works by recent Hive Resident, Julie Smetana.
Smetana is a multidisciplinary ceramic artist and graphic designer based in Spokane, WA. She has a deep passion for creating art that pushes boundaries and challenges norms. She strives to create pieces that evoke liberation and encourage viewers to embrace discomfort.
“Reductive carving and free-form stacking let the clay speak. It takes whatever plan you have, whatever you envision for the piece, and throws most of it out. Ultimately, a wall will crack, you’ll carve too deep, an edge will break, the stack will fall; you’ll constantly have to adjust your original vision. The bottle isn’t a bottle anymore; the tall cylinder is suddenly a bowl, or the large undulating shape becomes two flat shapes. Molding the clay this way results in a fired piece that is a little beat up but beautifully authentic, free, and unattached from expectations—a representation for where, as a human, I know I’d like to be.”
Opening receptions: First Friday, June 2nd, 5 to 8 pm. Saturday June 3rd noon to 4 pm. Regular gallery hours through the month, Wednesday through Friday, 11 AM to 5 PM
