KAS are the initials of maker Katie Smith. Smith's practice focuses on the creation of ceramic vessels, using a research-through-practice approach to hand-build precarious organic-looking forms. Concepts of maximalism and ornate surfaces are central to her works, inspired by folk crafts, the human body, current events, and our relationship to the world. Her personal relationship with her mind and body are also reflected within her forms and her surface textures, which also take inspiration and details from nature.

 

Smith employs various methods and techniques to achieve her desired finish, with a focus on hand-built forms and maximalist surfaces. Her forms are often traditional in shape but modern in style, as she attempts to update conventional ceramic structures, adding contemporary elements to established shapes. Smith’s projects often begin with a vast amount of research and initial sketches, investigating her subject matter in depth, then progressing into material explorations and creating a finished piece. 

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