Malcolm Mobutu Smith

American, b. 1969

Smith’s parents are both artists. He attended Kansas City Art Institute (1988–90), working with Ken Ferguson (see Ferguson’s 1968 Bottle); then Pennsylvania State University (1991– 94) for his BFA, where he studied with Chris Staley (see Staley’s 1988 Bowl and Teapot); and finally, Alfred University, New York (1994–96), for his MFA. That same year he began teaching ceramics at Western Kentucky University. Since 2001 he has been an associate professor at Indiana University.