Sarah Lawless | Smoked
to
Kootenay Gallery of Art, History and Science 120 Heritage Way, Castlegar, British Columbia V1N 4M5

Sarah Lawless, "Breathed"
Courtesy of the Gallery.
Opening reception: March 10th from 5 to 7 pm
Sarah Lawless, a ceramic artist based in Kalso, BC, and graduate of the Kootenay School of the Arts, will present a body of work entitled Smoked. As counterpoint to the prevalent unease experienced by many in modern society when thinking about smoke resulting from climate change-induced forest fires and its effect on human health, the artist explores ways in which smoke has positive connotations, both traditionally and historically. Examples include using smoke for spiritual and ritualistic cleansing purposes, in incense burners, or as herbs and chemicals which are smoked to support relaxation & recreation—some of the ways in which smoke has been deliberately incorporated into many cultural practices.
“In these ways, smoke is one of the ties that bind all cultures of the world together, a signal of our common humanity”, says the artist. Her earthenware ceramic vessels explore this complex relationship and the cultural associations with smoke.