In my sculpture practice I convey that climate justice is social justice. Birds are particularly vulnerable to the deadly effects of climate change; similarly, environmental issues will first impact the most vulnerable humans—those who don’t have the ability or resources to escape impending natural disasters, despite contributing the least to climate pollution. I use birds literally to reference the dangers they face now and in the future, and metaphorically as stand-ins for people to discuss historic and current social issues. Birds have wisdom and warnings to convey if only we can listen.
—Sarah Conti
Sarah Conti is a ceramic sculptor who is passionate about ecology, conservation, and social matters, as well as sparking conversations about climate change and the impact humans have on the earth. Conti is from western Washington and received her BFA with an emphasis in sculpture from the University of Idaho. She did post-baccalaureate work at Oregon College of Art in Portland and the University of Montana in Missoula. With a group of four other ceramists Conti co-founded Wildfire Ceramic Studio in Missoula and ran the in-house gallery. She now lives in Boise, Idaho.