Interview
Ari Stone
Ari Ashe Stone (Aurora, they/them) is a gender-non-conforming, interdisciplinary artist & potter who creates work about mental health awareness, environmentalism, and their spiritual connection with their higher self & inner child. They believe in freedom, nature, and the power of creative flow within the frequency domain of light. In addition to ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media, they are also a multi-instrumental musician, florist, and curator. A special thanks to all of the creative programs Aurora has been involved in, including Mudfire ClayWorks & Gallery in Decatur GA, Wegmans Floral Dept. of Fairmount NY, and The Rusty Wheel Pottery – formerly located in Tully NY. Aurora is also a Reiki Master. Aurora's sense of devotion to the concept of love shines through their work in more ways than one, calling upon their emotions and true self during their practice. They are a graduate of Syracuse University VPA, with a Bachelor's in Ceramics, and attended Chautauqua Institute: School of Arts. During college, they were highly involved in student-run Shaped Clay Society, and co-curated a show called “Not Alone,” for mental health advocacy. They would like to proudly represent the LGBTQIA2S+ community and various other collectives, including The Self Alchemy Lab and Unity Collective. They hope to attend more conferences in the future, (including N.C.E.C.A.).
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I went to Syracuse University for Ceramics BFA, with focuses in Sculpture, Print Making, and Assemblage Painting. I did several residencies including MudFire Gallery in GA and Chautauqua Institute, School of Art in NY. I was always a musician and artist at heart. I grew over time with my practice to expand to many mediums and genres. The David Lynch Foundation and Transcendental Meditation Community kicked open many doors for me. In recent years collectives such as The Self Alchemy Lab and Unity Collective have played an integral part to my growth spiritually and creatively.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“I believe everyone should be their authentic self through their given form if expression. While my art does not exclusively target a political topic, I do promote mental health awareness, suicide Prevention, mindfulness, meditation, and prioritizing love in all its facets, community, communication, boundaries, and personal truth.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I engage flow state, coping, and musical accompaniment. I tend to get all my emotion in that moment out into the medium in whatever time I am able to set aside for creation projects. I often recycle or upcycle my own work into new projects until I feel it has served its main purposes. I very rarely go in with much of a plan beyond the materials or emotion I am conveying.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“I am involved in a Spotify Playlist Called The Alchemist's Playlist, originally started by Universe Disciple in collaboration with many individuals from The Self Alchemy Lab, myself included. I am closely following all the beautifully aware art emerging from the current political climate. There is a time for healing, and there are times for action. Discernment and resonant flow are important in navigating all this. I love the clay works of many National Conference on the Education of Ceramic Arts artists. I am big on floral design trends, often watching YouTube on different ways to create interesting modern and classical flower arrangements.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“Music – poetic, rhythmic and soulful approach in any genre that feels right, about one album of original and collaborative material and a few inspirational covers Ceramics – Clay Pottery, Sculpture, and plaster molds Bronze Casting – silicone molds, wax working, shell investment, metal pouring Painting – water color, acrylic, and assemblage or mixed media and collage Weaving – fiber arts with floral elements Floral design – modern, classical, and non confirming techniques.”
“I believe everyone should be their authentic self through their given form if expression.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art means authenticity, truth, and love in all its facets. Wether I love myself, my collective, the music im listening to, or my inner circle. I engage my spirituality or higher self when I create, often listening to music, meditating, or being expressive in any way I need at that moment in order to convey myself and my values. Empowerment, boundaries, communication, consent, truth, light, and justice – to name a few.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork is really difficult to choose. I like everything made with soul. Within the ceramic world, I love the artwork of Margaret Meehan, Beth Cavener, and Matt Mitros. Within the music world, I love The Alchemist's Playlist, a collaboration collection of music with The Self Alchemy Lab, founded by Danielle Lynn. I really appreciate artists I studied with, including but not limited to: Edam Alvarado, Maria Spiess, Danielle Rugiero, Thibaut Dapoigny, and Ken Lu.There are many mentors that stood out to me, including Alberto Veronica, Jee Eun Lee, Ren Yang, Robert Wysocki, Joel Weissman, Peter Beasecker, and Dusty Herbig. There are too many people that have affected me positively to list all of them, but this scratches the surface of how much my community has meant to me.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“‘Not Alone,’ Syracuse University in New York, 2017. Not Alone was a curated exhibition I put together on Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. It featured local, national, and international artists. It was essentially like my senior thesis for my BFA at Syracuse University, but it meant so much more to me than that.”
