Emily Bayless is an artist, born 4th generation Arizona native and raised in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Trained in ceramics, Bayless began using mixed media to create installation works while working toward her BFA in ceramics from Arizona State University. As a graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder, her work expanded into the realm of memoir, touching on deeply personal experiences. Her work has continued to be a reflection of her experiences through choice of materials, technique, and symbolism. Bayless is an artist and educator living and working in Laredo, Texas. As an Assistant Professor of Art at Texas A&M International University, she teaches all levels and processes of ceramics, sculpture, and the senior practicum writing intensive course. She has completed public art projects in the city of Laredo in collaboration with colleagues and undergraduate research assistants. Her most recent collaborative public art work, The Living Mural at the Border Heritage Museum, was fully funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Award.
Published on March 3rd, 2024. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What are you working on these days?
I am making works that I am calling "Ofrendas", which are based in the ritual and tradition of the Altar. These ofrendas are symbols that represent aspects of my life that I may at times obsess over. Made in clay, each piece is a representation of an object or moment that I think of often because I want more from it. The ofrendas each have their own system for a candle, flowers, or both. The candle representing a prayer or hope toward the symbol in that piece, the flowers are brought as an offering to that symbol. In each scenario, the viewer and myself are bringing something to this object in an effort to bring a desire or dream to fruition, or even to mourn the end of a specific moment.
What has been going well for you in your art career and life recently?
I am feeling so motivated. I have been able to reimagine my work space to better suit my lifestyle and it is bringing up a really fruitful practice. Choosing to bring my studio into my home space has allowed me to dedicate small moments to my practice that previously have been unavailable to me. Last year I was working in the studio at the university where I teach which has its pros and cons. I love the students and the community we have created there, but it does become difficult for me to get lost in my work. That is something that is going well for me now, I am able to better immerse myself in the ideas and for me the work is becoming more interesting.
What is something new that you have discovered this past year that is meaningful or helpful for you?
Summer 2023 I was able to co-organize and participate in an Artists-Invite-Artists Residency at Watershed. This was huge for me. As a new mom I was completely immersed in my family and all of the changes that come with that. My practice needed a jolt and this residency did that for me. I left home for 2 weeks and in a lot of ways that was torture for me, so many feelings came up for me and they contradict each other. My husband fully supported me in this and stayed home, which changed my relationship to being the primary caregiver in some really positive ways that has allowed my practice to flourish through the fall months.
Briefly walk us through your process of making art or thinking through a new project, focusing on what's most important to you as you create.
I have always been attracted to layering as an aesthetic and the longer I make work the more that is obvious, to me at least. It is something that seems to happen naturally in the choices I make. I have started cutting out negative space in the slab work, creating a moment for reveal as well as concealment. This layered approach can also relate to the symbolism I have re-inserted in my practice. I choose symbols that represent something real to me, that have a specific memory/ies, but I represent them in a manner that I think leaves them open for the viewer to access their own memories or attitude toward an object. The tweezers, presented as a symbol or even a trophy to be prayed to, can be appreciated in polarizing ways depending on the biography of the viewer. That layering and universality is really powerful for me.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
As the maker I feel my work changes often and that leaves me curious how others view the continuity of my work. I have been working at this for a significant amount of time but in many ways I still feel I am finding myself as an artist and discovering new narratives in my making. This process of reflection through TWIRL project has been really fascinating. To be held accountable to thoughtfully reflect on my work, put words to it, and know that others will read and see is so important for me as a maker who considers memoir in their work.
What are you working on these days?
I am making works that I am calling "Ofrendas", which are based in the ritual and tradition of the Altar. These ofrendas are symbols that represent aspects of my life that I may at times obsess over. Made in clay, each piece is a representation of an object or moment that I think of often because I want more from it. The ofrendas each have their own system for a candle, flowers, or both. The candle representing a prayer or hope toward the symbol in that piece, the flowers are brought as an offering to that symbol. In each scenario, the viewer and myself are bringing something to this object in an effort to bring a desire or dream to fruition, or even to mourn the end of a specific moment.
What has been going well for you in your art career and life recently?
I am feeling so motivated. I have been able to reimagine my work space to better suit my lifestyle and it is bringing up a really fruitful practice. Choosing to bring my studio into my home space has allowed me to dedicate small moments to my practice that previously have been unavailable to me. Last year I was working in the studio at the university where I teach which has its pros and cons. I love the students and the community we have created there, but it does become difficult for me to get lost in my work. That is something that is going well for me now, I am able to better immerse myself in the ideas and for me the work is becoming more interesting.
What is something new that you have discovered this past year that is meaningful or helpful for you?
Summer 2023 I was able to co-organize and participate in an Artists-Invite-Artists Residency at Watershed. This was huge for me. As a new mom I was completely immersed in my family and all of the changes that come with that. My practice needed a jolt and this residency did that for me. I left home for 2 weeks and in a lot of ways that was torture for me, so many feelings came up for me and they contradict each other. My husband fully supported me in this and stayed home, which changed my relationship to being the primary caregiver in some really positive ways that has allowed my practice to flourish through the fall months.
Briefly walk us through your process of making art or thinking through a new project, focusing on what's most important to you as you create.
I have always been attracted to layering as an aesthetic and the longer I make work the more that is obvious, to me at least. It is something that seems to happen naturally in the choices I make. I have started cutting out negative space in the slab work, creating a moment for reveal as well as concealment. This layered approach can also relate to the symbolism I have re-inserted in my practice. I choose symbols that represent something real to me, that have a specific memory/ies, but I represent them in a manner that I think leaves them open for the viewer to access their own memories or attitude toward an object. The tweezers, presented as a symbol or even a trophy to be prayed to, can be appreciated in polarizing ways depending on the biography of the viewer. That layering and universality is really powerful for me.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
As the maker I feel my work changes often and that leaves me curious how others view the continuity of my work. I have been working at this for a significant amount of time but in many ways I still feel I am finding myself as an artist and discovering new narratives in my making. This process of reflection through TWIRL project has been really fascinating. To be held accountable to thoughtfully reflect on my work, put words to it, and know that others will read and see is so important for me as a maker who considers memoir in their work.
Find Emily Bayless on Instagram