Leslie Smith III Work | Artist Statement & CV | Return to Artist List
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Artist Statement
Inspired by the politics of human power dynamics, I paint narratives where paintings become individual characters constructed from personified objects. I am eager to understand the sociopolitical ramifications of physical and psychological trauma as something we inflict on each other. Mainly as it relates to exploitations of power; this is the impetus. With color, scale and variant modes of representation I recreate recognizable objects by narrating them in unrecognizable ways, resulting in a friction between the familiarity of objects and their functions. Operating allegorically, my paintings embody archetypes of power and humility, symbolically expressing spiritual, moral and political meanings. My narratives overwhelmingly complicate one’s notion of hierarchy in power and authority, essentially allowing for an experience that is authentic in its complexity. While confrontational, my paintings create visceral experiences, implicating the thoughts of others, making one more aware of one’s moral and psychological subjectivities.
Inspired by the politics of human power dynamics, I paint narratives where paintings become individual characters constructed from personified objects. I am eager to understand the sociopolitical ramifications of physical and psychological trauma as something we inflict on each other. Mainly as it relates to exploitations of power; this is the impetus. With color, scale and variant modes of representation I recreate recognizable objects by narrating them in unrecognizable ways, resulting in a friction between the familiarity of objects and their functions. Operating allegorically, my paintings embody archetypes of power and humility, symbolically expressing spiritual, moral and political meanings. My narratives overwhelmingly complicate one’s notion of hierarchy in power and authority, essentially allowing for an experience that is authentic in its complexity. While confrontational, my paintings create visceral experiences, implicating the thoughts of others, making one more aware of one’s moral and psychological subjectivities.
CV
Leslie J. Smith III
lsmith@lesliesmith3.com | mobile: 240. 381. 3285 | www.lesliesmith3.com
EDUCATION
American Academy in Rome, Rome, Italy | 2009
Yale University School of Art, New Haven, CT | 2009
M.F.A., Painting and Printmaking
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD | 2007
B.F.A., Painting Major, Art History Minor
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Emerge CT: 2009 MFA Graduates from UConn, Western Connecticut State and Yale, Stamford, CT | 2009
Yale University School of Art M.F.A. Thesis Show, New Haven, CT | 2009
Verge | Galapagos Art Space, New York, NY | 2008
Visions of Conflict: Rendering Dissent | Gormley gallery College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD | 2007
MAEF Juried Exhibition | Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD | 2007
Maryland Institute College of Art B.F.A. Thesis Show, Baltimore, MD | 2007
Taylor Companies Retrospective Show | Taylor Companies, Washington DC | 2006
HONORS & AWARDS
American Academy in Rome, Al Held Affiliate Fellow | Rome Italy | 2009
Best in show, Maryland Artist Equity Foundation Juried Exhibition | Baltimore Museum of Art | 2007
Freda Eichelberger Scholarship | 2006 -2007
Thailheimer Scholarship | 2003 – 2007
ARTS Scholarship, MICA | 2003 – 2007
National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts Finalist and Scholarship recipient | 2003
COLLECTIONS
Taylor Companies | Washington DC
Numerous private collections
Leslie J. Smith III
lsmith@lesliesmith3.com | mobile: 240. 381. 3285 | www.lesliesmith3.com
EDUCATION
American Academy in Rome, Rome, Italy | 2009
Yale University School of Art, New Haven, CT | 2009
M.F.A., Painting and Printmaking
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD | 2007
B.F.A., Painting Major, Art History Minor
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Emerge CT: 2009 MFA Graduates from UConn, Western Connecticut State and Yale, Stamford, CT | 2009
Yale University School of Art M.F.A. Thesis Show, New Haven, CT | 2009
Verge | Galapagos Art Space, New York, NY | 2008
Visions of Conflict: Rendering Dissent | Gormley gallery College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD | 2007
MAEF Juried Exhibition | Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD | 2007
Maryland Institute College of Art B.F.A. Thesis Show, Baltimore, MD | 2007
Taylor Companies Retrospective Show | Taylor Companies, Washington DC | 2006
HONORS & AWARDS
American Academy in Rome, Al Held Affiliate Fellow | Rome Italy | 2009
Best in show, Maryland Artist Equity Foundation Juried Exhibition | Baltimore Museum of Art | 2007
Freda Eichelberger Scholarship | 2006 -2007
Thailheimer Scholarship | 2003 – 2007
ARTS Scholarship, MICA | 2003 – 2007
National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts Finalist and Scholarship recipient | 2003
COLLECTIONS
Taylor Companies | Washington DC
Numerous private collections
Late Night Debate, oil on canvas, 24x24 in. 2010
Hungry Boy, Son of Pound cake, oil on canvas, 40x40in 2010
Lights Out, oil on canvas, 40x40in. 2010
Red Light, oil on canvas, 113x84in. 2009
Peter, oil on canvas, 69x69in 2009
Dead Weight, oil on canvas, 66x96in 2009
The Pipes We Travel, oil on canvas, 59
X
43
in. 2009
Mario, oil on canvas, 96x96in. 2009
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Yesterdays
Great
American
Patriot
(A
Self
portrait)
, oil on canvas, 43x33in. 2009
Zip Tie, oil on canvas, 62x62in. 2009
Standard
Operating
Procedure?, oil on canvas, 72x72in. 2009
Piss Chair, oil on canvas, 84
X
96
in 2009
