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Sydney Butts

  • At What Cost

  • Precipitation is Provisional

  • The Everyday

  • Intentions

Name of School
University of Florida

Expected Graduation Date:
4/29/2022

Faculty Nominator
Iren Tete

Reason for Faculty Nomination
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Syd in my ceramic design and advanced ceramics courses during the Spring of 2021 and Fall of 2021. I have observed a drastic evolution in Sud’s work, ideas, and confidence over the past two semesters. Her craft is immaculate, ideas provocative, and work ethic superb.

Syd has been finding ways to repurpose not only memories but also materials. She has been reclaiming clay that other students have discarded and was bound for the landfill. Because of this, she has had to be flexible and adaptable when finishing pieces. Additionally, Syd has been going to repurpose stores to source the materials for her installations – including fabric, wood, mirrors, and glass. Syd is very attuned to our impact on the environment and has mentioned a desire to alleviate her contribution to climate change by being mindful of her material consumption.”

Please provide a brief description of your art or medium.
My art is interdisciplinary, with a focus in mixed media. The images I have provided today, are examples of sculptural, collage, and textile work, made with repurposed scraps of fabrics, charcoals, magazines, and wood.

Is your artwork handmade by you? If not, please explain
Yes, my artwork is all made by me.

Are all or some of the components locally sourced?
It is important for me to incorporate repurposed and locally sourced materials in my practice, to enhance the conceptual process of my work. I get all possible materials from my own used resources, secondhand shops, and salvage yards.

Artist’s Statement:
In an interdisciplinary practice, I am aiming to cause a confrontation between my artwork and the viewer, provoking an idea through imagery and text. A collaboration is formed through the engagement of the object and viewer, initiating an examination of one’s intentions. The conceptualization process encourages a moment of consideration, aiming towards ideas of social justice, climate change, consumerism, and sustainability. Through utilizing repurposed materials, my intentions are reflected through the making processes. Broadening materiality increases accessibility, encourages making, and links communities, while holding discussions of sustainability and considering the future.

How you will use the Fellowship funds if you are chosen as the winner.
With this funding I would be aiming to further my art practice, by pursuing residency programs and exploring new found materials. I will be attending a summer residency program this year, and having some supportive funding could allow me to experiment with materials freely. These materials would allow me to broaden my concepts of sustainability.