Painter, born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, he studied at Sheffield College of Art, 1944-46, St. Martin's School of Art, 1948-50, and RCA, 1950-53. His first solo exhibition was held at the Beaux Arts Gallery, 1953 and he also exhibited with the Young Contemporaries around this time. With John Bratby, Derrick Greaves and Edward Middleditch, he became associated with Kitchen Sink painting which took its subject matter from the texture and feel of everyday life. Though Smith was the one who actually painted a kitchen sink (and the child being bathed in it), he later more or less renounced his realist work and instead developed a non-figurative style. His solo exhibitions were numerous and include shows at Flowers East, London, Catherine Viviano Gallery, New York, Whitechapel Gallery, London, Matthiesen Gallery, London, the Mayor Gallery, Grosvenor Gallery, Redfern Gallery, London, Fischer Fine Art, London and Marlborough Fine Art, London. As a group exhibitor, he showed at the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition, winning first prize in 1957 and exhibited five paintings in the British pavilion at the Venice Biennale during the previous year.

Smith taught at Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, 1953-56 and his work is in major collections around the world including the ACGB, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Auckland City Art Gallery, New Zealand, Berlin National Gallery, Brighton & Hove Art Gallery, CAS, Ferens Art Gallery, Fitzwilliam Museum, GAC, Graves Art Gallery, Guggenheim Museum, New York, Leeds City Art Gallery, Manchester City Art Gallery, New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, Plymouth Art Gallery, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Tate Gallery, Towner Art Gallery and the WAC.

With thanks to artbiogs.co.uk

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