Stuart Smith

As a painter of still life I have long been fascinated by the power of objects and drawn my inspiration from found objects and collectible items.
I am interested in exploring the language of traditional painting techniques and subject values in contemporary painting to develop an economical painting style with simplified design and application processes.
A few years ago I met a passionate collector with a treasure trove of toy cars, boxes and figurines who allowed me to playfully arrange these miniatures into tabletop still lives or dioramas to explore scenes of the everyday.
The surprising results were journeys into make believe, nostalgia and reminiscence of childhood to rediscover the simple pleasure of play.

National Art School, Sydney
Mar 2017 - Current
Masters of Fine Art Painting

Canterbury Christchurch University
Sept 2005-Jun 2006
14-19 PGCE in Art and Design

The University of Bretton Hall, Leeds
Sept 1995-Jun 1998
BA Hons Fine Art. Grade 2.1

Kent Institute of Art and Design,
Sept 1993-Jun 1994
Maidstone Campus
National Diploma in Art and Design

Maidstone Grammar School,
Sept 1991-Jun 1993

2014 Motorclassica - Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

2017 Calleen Art Award - Cowra Regional Gallery
2016 EMSLA - Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery
2016 Still Life - Gallery Klei, Sydney
2016 20×20 - Gallery Klei, Sydney
2015 Gyeonggi ANSAN International Art Fair, South Korea
2014 Albany Art Prize WA
2014 The Lab - Art Pharmacy, Sydney
2014 A Model Society - Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
2013 Nouvelle - Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
2013 EMSLA Award - Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery
2013 One to One - Hong Kong
2013 Sedate/Stimulate - aMBUSH Gallery, Art Pharmacy
2013 Storytellers - Frances Keevil Gallery, Sydney
2013 Milk Factory Gallery, Bowral, NSW
2012 Art Concerning Environment - Scope Gallery, Vic
2012 EMSLA Award - Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery