Richard Smith
British
1931-2016
Richard Smith was a British-American painter known for his innovative and vibrant works that bridged the gap between abstract expressionism, pop art, and minimalism.
In the 1960s, Smith moved from London to New York City, where he became associated with the pop art movement. He explored the visual language of advertising, graphic design, and commercial signage, incorporating elements of popular culture into his paintings. Smith's works often featured enlarged fragments of objects, such as airplanes, umbrellas, or shopping bags, emphasizing the materiality and presence of these items.
Smith's innovative approach to painting extended beyond traditional canvas surfaces. He incorporated three-dimensional elements, such as protruding metal or acrylic structures, into his works, blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture. These sculptural elements added a sense of physicality and depth to his compositions.
Throughout his career, Richard Smith exhibited his works extensively in galleries and museums around the world. His paintings can be found in major art collections, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. Richard Smith's contributions to the art world were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1965 and a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2001.
