Amber J. Smith | Artist Statement

Amber J. Smith is a Bay Area-based interdisciplinary artist whose practice explores the intersection of community engagement and environmental advocacy. Originally from Silver City, New Mexico, and a graduate of UC Berkeley, Amber operates out of her studio at Art Bias in San Carlos, where she translates complex global crises into tactile, visual narratives.

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Her work focuses on the urgent plight of endangered species and the fragile state of our ecosystems. By meticulously transforming reclaimed materials—from thousands of diverted plastic lids to industrial debris—into striking mosaics and large-scale sculptures, she spotlights the devastating impact of plastic pollution. Through this process of "creative reuse," she elevates salvaged mediums to provoke critical conversation regarding our relationship with the natural world and the necessity of conservation.

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As a dedicated community-engaged artist, Amber’s process is inherently collaborative. She believes that public art is most powerful when it is a collective act. This is best exemplified by her pandemic-era Cuppa Joe Neighborhood Art Project, where she mobilized her community to collect over 4,000 Keurig cups to construct a 5-foot-tall sculpture. Whether through murals featuring endangered species or collaborative bottle-cap installations, Amber invites the public to become active participants in the creation of a more sustainable future.

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Her artistic journey is defined by a commitment to public service and environmental storytelling, earning her numerous awards and a presence in exhibitions and installations throughout California.