"The impetus of my sculptural practice is rooted in building an intimate understanding that climate justice is social justice. Due to their nature, birds are being killed faster and in greater magnitudes than humans by the unavoidable effects of climate change. Similarly, these environmental issues will first impact the most vulnerable humans. My sculptures reference the dangers that birds face in the earth’s future; I also use birds metaphorically to discuss historic and contemporary social issues. Throughout my work I weave in references to art history, feminism, civil rights, immigration, community, and critiques on colonization and capitalism to create a complex image of our present and future. Birds are the only species as globally ubiquitous as humans; they have wisdom and warnings to imbue if only we care to listen. Ideation for my work begins in many ways; through being in nature, through reading and research, and through discussions with my community over issues that concern and affect us. When I begin sculpting I work loosely and quickly to capture movement and gesture. Working with clay helps me to work intuitively so I can respond to and alter my sculptures as they develop." Sarah Conti is a ceramic sculptor who is passionate about ecology, conservation, social issues and sparking conversations about climate change and human impacts on the earth. Sarah is from western Washington, she received her BFA with a sculptural emphasis from University of Idaho. After undergrad Sarah lived in Illinois for three years and was a resident artist at Terra Incognito ceramic studio. She then moved to Portland, Oregon and attended Oregon College of Art and Craft to receive her post baccalaureate in ceramics. She then completed a second ceramics post baccalaureate at the University of Montana. With a group of four other ceramicists, Sarah cofounded Wildfire Ceramic Studio in Missoula and ran the in-house gallery. Sarah now lives in Boise, Idaho where she keeps busy working in her own studio, bird watching, playing with her dogs, and gardening.