Bio:

Emily Bayless is a ceramic artist and educator based in Laredo, TX. She has her BFA in Ceramics from Arizona State University and her MFA in Ceramics from the University of Colorado Boulder. Working primarily in low fire earthenware she creates a range of utilitarian and sculptural works that utilize light, negative space, and symbolism. Her work focuses on the atmosphere of the moment to create unique spaces for ritual and connection. Her work has been exhibited across the United States in museums, galleries, and universities. Bayless has completed public art works, one of which was fully funded by a National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Award, and is permanently installed outside of the Border Heritage Museum in Laredo, Texas.

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Artist Statement:

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I’ve been making work for what I’ve lost. I lost my favorite lipstick, but I also lost the lifestyle.

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Bread represents everything I used to have with ease that now requires sacrifice. At the altar of the croissant, I must thoughtfully consider the lengths I am willing to go to for just one more bite, one more pad of butter, how can I demi baguette without regret? At the lipstick ofrenda I can long for one more night with that cherry red lipstick, I can give a flower to the YSL gods in prayer they send my sexy back.

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Cigarettes, bread, lipstick, tweezers, mood lighting. These objects recreated by my hand represent to me a youth that I long for and kiss goodbye in perfect contradiction.

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My work, this memoir, creates an absurd perspective of how I interpret and romanticize the past. Using candles and flowers I am inviting the audience to consider the symbols that built their youth and to enjoy just a moment. The work is an investigation into how I remember what I regret, how I feel loss, and how I bargain for something I will never have back.  

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Instagram: @emilynbayless