Mark Smith
Mark Smith
(b. 1976, Melbourne, Victoria. Lives and works in Melbourne)
Mark Smith is an artist working across painting, ceramics, mixed media, video and soft sculpture. Primarily figurative, his works explore how the physicality of the body relates to human nature and the human condition. Starting from a feeling or emotion, rather than a model or image, his practice considers what it truly means to be human.
Smith’s contribution to Melbourne Now continues his series of text-based soft sculptures that put emotional responses into selected words, such as ‘control’ and ‘happenstance’. Bright, dynamic and multi-textured, the words represent philosophical propositions that reflect the artist’s state of being. Extending his work to the interactive, Smith has designed soft sculptural seating created from the word ‘look’ – a wonderful play on words. The viewer is instructed to look, but also invited to touch and engage. Featuring a range of textured fabrics, including faux fur and perforated vinyl, the sculpted letters are completed with large green and blue eyes.
Smith has worked in the Arts Project Australia studio since 2003 and held his first solo exhibition at Gallery Upstairs in 2014. He has exhibited in several group exhibitions, including Spring 1883 Art Fair, Robin Gibson Gallery, No Vacancy Gallery, c3 Contemporary Art Space, West Space and The Substation, and in 2020 he undertook an artist residency at the Australian Tapestry Workshop. His work is held in public and private collections across the country, including at Monash University Museum of Art and Merri-bek City Council.
Artist Mark Smith discusses his text-based soft sculptural works seen in Melbourne Now. Primarily figurative, his bright, dynamic and multi-textured, the… Read more