SARAH J. CONTI
Sarah Conti is a ceramic sculptor whose work reflects her passion for ecology, conservation, and social justice. Originally from western Washington, she earned her BFA with a sculptural emphasis from the University of Idaho. After graduation, she spent three years in Illinois as a resident artist at Terra Incognito Ceramic Studio before moving to Portland, Oregon, where she completed a post-baccalaureate in ceramics at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. She later pursued a second post-baccalaureate at the University of Montana. While in Missoula, Conti co-founded Wildfire Ceramic Studio with four other ceramicists and managed its in-house gallery. She now lives in Boise, where she works from her studio and enjoys bird watching, gardening, and time outdoors with her dogs.
The foundation of Conti’s sculptural practice is the belief that climate justice is inherently tied to social justice. Her work centers on the devastating effects of climate change and human impact on the environment, using birds as both subject and metaphor.
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Due to their migratory nature, birds are often among the first to suffer the consequences of ecological imbalance. Conti’s sculptures address these dangers while also drawing parallels to the ways vulnerable human communities are disproportionately affected by environmental crises.
Through layered references to art history, feminism, civil rights, immigration, and critiques of colonization and capitalism, Conti creates intricate narratives that reflect both the fragility and resilience of life on Earth. She sees birds as sentinels, creatures as globally present as humans, offering wisdom and warnings to those willing to listen.
