The Artist'S Husband Joshua Raffell And Dave Smithers

When Dave is applying for funding or exhibitions or being creative with spreadsheets then Josh is The Artist’s Husband. But when Josh is researching, creating or experimenting with materials then Dave is The Artist’s Husband. Jointly, they maintain social media and explore ideas, then they are The Artist’s Husband, Joshua Raffell & Dave Smithers. An activist artist collaborative taking an interest in power struggles, class and LGBTQIA+ stories. Both come from working class backgrounds and are dyslexic, giving a rare perspective, outsiders on the inside.

Both left education with no qualifications. Joshua was supported and encouraged by City Lit to discover his potential as a mature student and was awarded an Outstanding Adult Learner in Visual Arts Award 2007. He studied at Sir John Cass (BA Hons), where he received the Owen Rowley Award for originality. And he then went onto study an MA at Chelsea School of Art. Dave also left school with no qualifications but thanks to financial grants was able to return to education and complete basic and higher education including a degree where he developed an interest in creativity, social and political activism.

As a couple, they have worked, supported and collaborated asking questions...

Josh an BA (hons) at Sir John Cass, Metropolitan University, London and an MA at Chelsea School of Art. Dave has been with Josh throughout these experiences.

2025
Solo Show, ‘Moral Screams’, Spudworks, New Forest
Group Show, ‘Pertinacious’, LumiNoir Gallery
Group Show, The Secret Salon - Hackney Open 2025
Group Show, ‘Soft’, Quay Arts Open, Isle of Wight (1st Prize Winner)
Group Show, ‘Magdalena van der Passe and Ovid's Metamorphoses’, Festival of Chichester
Solo Show, ‘The Hypocrisy of Meritocracy’, Studio 1.1, London (Supported by a bursary from a-n The Artists Information Company)
Solo Show, ‘Sensibilities On The Bonnet’, The Arc, Winchester (Arts Council England funded)
Solo Show, ‘Nonsuch Memory Of My Birth’, Artists’ Book exhibition, Winchester School of Art Library
Group Show, ‘IOW Open Studio Showcase’, Quay Arts, Isle of Wight (1st Place Winner)
Group Show, 'Enthrall', LumiNoir Gallery, London
Performance ‘Your Privilege Is Not Mine’
Group Show, ‘Into The Fold’, Winchester School of Art
Group Show, 'This Year’s Model', Studio 1.1, London
Symposium, ‘From The Tide Pool To The Stars’, Southsea
Performance 'Outing Censorship And The Sins Of Omission'

2024
Group ‘spudOPEN’, Sway
Group The Secret Salon, Chiselhurst, London
Group Adelaide Salon, ‘24 Hour Live Performance Art’, Brighton
Performance ‘My 5 Days As A Gangstar’
Group ‘Classifications’ ASPEX Gallery, Portsmout...