about
Jan Smith is a contemporary jewellery artist focused on the use of vitreous enamel on altered metal. Smith’s mark making is comprised of repetitive lines and dots and using enamelling methods to yield a tactile delicacy inferring surfaces from her natural environment. Born in Vancouver, BC, Smith holds a BFA, NSCAD, Halifax, NS.
Smith has exhibited across Canada, USA and Europe, including a solo exhibition Memoria at Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS. Smith’s work was included in Face à Face, Parcours Bijoux, Paris, France and Jewellery Dialogue, CCBC Gallery. Jan was AiR Summer Artist Series 2016, NSCADU, Halifax, NS, The Smitten Forum and Pentaculum. Publications include New Brooches, New Earrings, Signs of Life-2006, and five of the Lark 500 series. Smith received a four-year annual grant from the Vancouver Foundation, juror’s awards from the Northern CA Enamel Guild and Enamelist Society. Smith’s work is held in Canada Council Art Bank Collection.
artist statement
In my artistic practice, I investigate concepts that evolve from an intimate connection to place and reflect a sense of identity and home. Walking, observing, and gathering are daily rituals that require a commitment to careful observation – I am absorbed by the complexity of the ephemeral natural environment. My current work reflects my ongoing preoccupation with marks the ocean and wind create on the sand and stone on the shoreline of the west coast of BC. My mark making is comprised of repetitive lines and dots and using enamelling methods to give a tactile delicacy inferring surfaces and textures from the natural environment. I am creating a language or code; this is an invented language that affords a method of signaling or marking the body.
Jewellery is a remarkable language: open for investigations. My work memorializes moments of our natural world and commemorates important events of our lives.
