Matt Smiley

Matt Smiley is a versatile artist and filmmaker celebrated for his vibrant and thematic paintings, crafted through a unique blend of automatic writings, vivid colors, and imaginative characters. His artistic journey extends beyond the canvas, delving into impactful documentary filmmaking and showcasing a commitment to social causes.

In 2014, Smiley made a significant mark with the direction of "Highway of Tears," a documentary shedding light on the missing women along Highway 16 in northern British Columbia. Narrated by international television star Nathan Fillion ("Castle"), the film premiered at the TIFF Human Rights Watch Film Festival, earning widespread acclaim and multiple awards while screening globally.

Venturing into the art world, Smiley unveiled his first solo exhibition in 2017, titled "Dreams Fizzle into Space." The showcase featured a 32-piece Warholian "Smiley" hand painted Soup Can collection, establishing him as an artist with a penchant for bold concepts. Subsequently, in 2018, Smiley's "Lessons in History" graced the LA Art Show, followed by exhibitions at The Other Art Fair Presented by Saatchi Art in Brooklyn and the Aspen Institute.

Among his standout works is the mural "Blocs of Love," an Instagram sensat...

Selected solo Exhibitions
2025 "Down the Rabbit Hole" Mondrian Hotel Los Angeles
2024 "Love, Nostalgia, & the Tempest of my Mind (Residency) 1 Hotel West Hollywood, CA (Sep. 5 - Nov. 5)
2023 “Emotions: Work in Progress” (Residency) 1 Hotel West Hollywood, CA (3 months)
2019 REFRESH Art Exhibit at the Mondrian Hotel, Los Angeles, CA (6 months)
2018 Dear Diary…, Los Angeles, CA
2017 Nexus Earth Art Exposition, The Aspen Institute, Aspen, CO
2017 Dreams Fizzle into Space, Los Angeles, CA

Selected group Exhibitions

2024 Aspen Snowball, Charity Fundraiser, Aspen, CO
2023 Fly Me to the Moon, Hollywood, CA (Mr. Brainwash, Banksy, Punk Me Tender +++)
2022 Boo2Bullying, Los Angeles, CA (SLS Hotel)
2022 No Kid Hungry, Los Angeles, CA (Hosted by Vanessa Hudgens)
2020 Conscious Shift, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Phase One LA, Various Small Fires, Los Angeles, CA
2019 LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
2018 Wearable Art Gala, Los Angeles (Hosted by Tina Knowles)
2018 The Other Art Fair Presented by Saatchi Art, Brooklyn, NY
2018 Art Palm Springs, Palm Springs, CA
2018 LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
2018 UNICEF Next Gen Art Party, Venice, CA
2017 LIFT Art: Communities, Neuehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2017 UNICEF Next Gen Art Party, Venice, CA
2016 ...