ARTIST STATEMENT
My art practice is deeply rooted in my connection to myself, the natural world, animals, and others. A tour through the woods with human and non-human kin would leave me feeling satiated, free, half-wild, and full of art plans 15 years ago. These days I must force myself not to wear my earbuds, not to touch my phone a dozen times, and not to think I could be answering emails while I hike. I have even considered going without my phone, but then become a bit scared at that thought, and what if I want to take a picture? For all the connections our new technology affords us, I feel the cost deeply in my sense of freedom, for an addict is never free. I mourn my children who will never know the feeling of full immersion, without technological interruption in the wilderness or within a friend group unless they purposefully and carefully try to lift themselves out of “the cloud”. At the same time, the internet has afforded me so many opportunities and education that would have been impossible without it, as well as a decent amount of fun, has led to meaningful connections with others, and has shed light on countless human, animal, and earth violations So how do I keep what works for me and leave the rest? I haven’t figured it out yet, but this piece is my hope for all of us to grow together connected by the Earth itself, so…#earth.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Asia Mathis is a nationally exhibited artist working in Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University in 1999. Asia spent the next few years showing at local galleries in the Nashville area, and high-end arts and craft fairs. In 2009 her first child was born and she spent the next several years full time mothering. Asia returned to studio life in 2018. Her work was featured in the “Best of Tennessee Craft” exhibition at the Tennessee State Museum, and she created a solo show in 2022 for the Appalachian Center for Craft. In recent months, Asia’s work has been part of gallery showings at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC, and The Bascom Center for Visual Arts, in Highlands, NC. She has a solo exhibition planned in 2025 at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, TN.
© Asia Mathis