David Smith

Studio Holder

Born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire. Graduated with BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Newcastle University in 1977. ATC Goldsmiths' College 1978. Smith has exhibited at Royal Academy 1991 and John Player Portrait Award NPG 1992 and Fry Gallery, Saffron Walden 1997 before Co-founding Felsted Old Hall Gallery and creating the FTD. Forty two years in Art Education before retiring in 2020. Smith joined Cuckoo Farm Studios and Colchester Art Society in May 2021. One man show in the Benham Gallery called The Lockdown Chronicles, [YOUTUBE: David Smith at Cuckoo Farm] May 2022. In November 2022 took part in CONVERSATIONS with Pamela Schomberg also in the Benham Gallery.

'Saltburn cliff walk' Mixed media. A painted construction which actually invokes vertigo when I look at it.

'Saltburn cliff walk' Mixed media. A painted construction which actually invokes vertigo when I look at it.

'Saltburn cliff walk/Japanese version' Collage and ink. A small work but beautifully formed I would say.

'Saltburn cliff walk/Japanese version' Collage and ink. A small work but beautifully formed I would say.

'Bluebells' study for 'Estrada' watercolour. Estrada is a work which turns up often in my work. Not literally an entrance in most cases. Here it is about an opening given to me by an angel who I love more than salt.

'Bluebells' study for 'Estrada' watercolour. Estrada is a work which turns up often in my work. Not literally an entrance in most cases. Here it is about an opening given to me by an angel who I love more than salt.

Detail of 'Theseus and the Minotaur' Ink, acrylic and stamps. More than a study for the much larger work but it's creation did lead to the larger versions in oils.

Detail of 'Theseus and the Minotaur' Ink, acrylic and stamps. More than a study for the much larger work but it's creation did lead to the larger versions in oils.

'Zero Correlation', Mixed media on paper, is a typical play on words I often employ in order to give the viewer something to chew on should they so wish.

'Zero Correlation', Mixed media on paper, is a typical play on words I often employ in order to give the viewer something to chew on should they so wish.

'Venus decided Persephone has a better deal' Ink, acrylic and photograph on paper. Part of an ongoing interest in how myths, legends and belief systems remain relevant.

'Venus decided Persephone has a better deal' Ink, acrylic and photograph on paper. Part of an ongoing interest in how myths, legends and belief systems remain relevant.

'The sleep of reason' Oil on canvas. Theseus and the Minotaur a metaphor for the sleep of reason. Brexit and the invasion of the Ukraine involved in the conception.

'The sleep of reason' Oil on canvas. Theseus and the Minotaur a metaphor for the sleep of reason. Brexit and the invasion of the Ukraine involved in the conception.

'The sleep of reason, the three Fates' Oil on canvas. A large painting exploring Myths, Legends and Faiths' relevance in 2022.

'The sleep of reason, the three Fates' Oil on canvas. A large painting exploring Myths, Legends and Faiths' relevance in 2022.

'The great divide' Oil on canvas. The point at which two Parishes meet. The Stebbing Brook is only two meters wide but like La Manche separates two communities, the old and the new.

'The great divide' Oil on canvas. The point at which two Parishes meet. The Stebbing Brook is only two meters wide but like La Manche separates two communities, the old and the new.

'Shelley' Oil on canvas. The great poet washed up on the shore because he did not heed advice.

'Shelley' Oil on canvas. The great poet washed up on the shore because he did not heed advice.

'Hokum Hole, Yorkshire' Watercolour. Looking at exploring a personal way with watercolour.

'Hokum Hole, Yorkshire' Watercolour. Looking at exploring a personal way with watercolour.

'Jamie's Hedge' Watercolour. Winter sun on the hedge. A very important work from the early days of Covid.

'Jamie's Hedge' Watercolour. Winter sun on the hedge. A very important work from the early days of Covid.

'A Goya' Wax, pebbles and oil paint. Fun with found materials.

'A Goya' Wax, pebbles and oil paint. Fun with found materials.

'Saltburn Cliffs' Oil on canvas. Part of the Cliffs at Saltburn.

'Saltburn Cliffs' Oil on canvas. Part of the Cliffs at Saltburn.

'Saltburn Cliffs' Ink on paper. An example of drawing.

'Saltburn Cliffs' Ink on paper. An example of drawing.

'Burning the heather, Hokum Hole, Yorkshire' Oil on canvas.

'Burning the heather, Hokum Hole, Yorkshire' Oil on canvas.

'Valencian fishing boat' Acrylic on watercolour paper. A nod to Sorolla.

'Valencian fishing boat' Acrylic on watercolour paper. A nod to Sorolla.

'Essex Farm, March' Oil on canvas. A counterbalance to the Yorkshire vistas. In Essex I always seam to be "looking through' something.

'Essex Farm, March' Oil on canvas. A counterbalance to the Yorkshire vistas. In Essex I always seam to be "looking through' something.

'Flitch Green Sunset' Silkscreen and collage. An example of my printmaking which is neither pure nor technical.

'Flitch Green Sunset' Silkscreen and collage. An example of my printmaking which is neither pure nor technical.

'Conquest of the air' Collograph and collage. A moody piece about flying.

'Conquest of the air' Collograph and collage. A moody piece about flying.

Hex, graphite on paper, Exhibited at DRAWING at CFS 2023.

Hex, graphite on paper, Exhibited at DRAWING at CFS 2023.

Somehting about Pygmalion, graphite and acrylic on paper 2023.

Somehting about Pygmalion, graphite and acrylic on paper 2023.

NFT whole new idea, stencil and collage 2023.

NFT whole new idea, stencil and collage 2023.

Unwilling to be tied to any single genre, Smith wants the observer to dive into his works, stirring sensations that can be observed or felt. He utilises several reoccurring or essential genres and usually places large narrative analogies into his pieces that require unravelling on the part of the observer. Smith's abstract approach comes directly from his observations and senses, working figuratively from direct observation including landscapes and portraits. The areas that ground and dominate his practice are: Northern Essex, North Yorkshire and Spain.

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