The Formative Years and Artistic Evolution
Richard Smith was born in Letchworth Garden City, United Kingdom. Following his national service with the Royal Air Force in Hong Kong, he pursued formal studies at the St Albans School of Art. He later undertook postgraduate research at the Royal College of Art in London between 1954 and 1957. His professional career included a period as a lecturer at Hammersmith College of Art from 1957 to 1958. In 1959, a Harkness Fellowship allowed him to travel to America, where he spent several years teaching and painting. During this time, he had his first one-man show at the Green Gallery in New York in 1961. He eventually resettled permanently in New York City in 1976.
Technique and Formal Exploration
Smith’s work is characterized by an exploration of the two-dimensional nature of painting and the relationship between painting and sculpture. His early works drew on packaging and advertising, with pieces such as Panatella (1961) utilizing scale and color to reflect the experience of mass culture. In 1963, he began to challenge conventional canvas shapes, as seen in Vista, which featured a shaped extension to the rectangular canvas.
His later experimentation included:
Questions & Answers
What are the birthplace and birth year of Richard Smith?
Richard Smith was born in Letchworth Garden City in 1931.
In which movements did Richard Smith work?
Richard Smith's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.
Can I explore Richard Smith's works by keyword?
To find works by Richard Smith on a specific theme, use the artist's By Keywords page, which groups the artworks by keyword.
How popular are Richard Smith's artworks?
Statistics about Richard Smith's works are available on the artist's Stats page.
