Mark T. Smith
Mark T. Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1968 |
| Alma mater | Pratt Institute |
| Occupation | Painter |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Website | www |
Mark T. Smith (born 1968)[1] is an American painter.
Life and career[edit]
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, where he attended Archmere Academy,[2] Smith moved to New York City in 1986 to study at the Pratt Institute. After graduating from Pratt, he made New York City his home until June 2004, when he relocated to Miami. Fourteen years later, he moved to Oahu, Hawaii, for a year, and he eventually settled in Seattle in 2018,[3][4] where he became a vice president of Coding Dojo, a training company.[5]
In 1990, Smith received his first commission from the Walt Disney Company,[6] for a "Happy Birthday Walt Disney World" poster. Throughout his 20s, Smith made his living in New York City as an iconoclastic artist.[4] He continued to receive corporate commissions. These included the 1996 national Absolut Vodka campaign entitled "Absolut Smith".[4] In 2003 he made three paintings for Taco Bell, Drive Thru Man, Mothman, and Empty, which were reproduced on stretched canvas to decorate the chain's restaurants; several copies have since been stolen, some offered for sale online after being taken during renovations.[7] In 2002, he hand-painted a pair of PT Cruisers. One was auctioned for the charity Operation Smile after a promotional tour from New York City to Key West,[8][9] and the other, which was exhibited at the Cannes Film Festival, is in the Walter P. Chrysler Museum’s permanent collection in Michigan.[4]
On a commission from the United States Olympic Committee, he created a dragon painting for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing that was displayed in the Olympic village.[6][8][10]
In 2009, Smith was chosen as the first artist to "Paint on Pink", painting on pink material recycled from the Pink Project, the art installation that launched Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation New Orleans, to help New Orleans residents recover after Hurricane Katrina. Sale of his artwork contributed to the project.[11]
Smith's art has been widely exhibited, in both solo and group exhibitions[8][9][12] and is in the collections of celebrities including Jay Leno, Neil Diamond, and Elton John.[4]
Influences and style[edit]
Smith's style has been compared to Jean-Michel Basquiat and Willem de Kooning.[7] He has said that he seeks to combine classic skills of drawing and painting with a modern sensibility influenced by graffiti art, hip-hop, and advertising in order to meaningfully integrate visual art into public life.[3] He described the Taco Bell paintings as a homage to Maxfield Parrish.[7]
Personal life[edit]
Smith is married to Lani Hay, an IT consultant.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ "Mark T. Smith". Contessa Gallery. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Alumni Connections". The Archmerean. Fall–Winter 2019. pp. 52–53.
- ^ a b "About". Mark T. Smith. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Press". Mark T. Smith. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
- ^ "Coding Dojo Blazes a Trail to 21st Century Careers". The Georgetown Dish (interview). November 19, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Ramirez, Jeanine (July 7, 2008). "Brooklyn Artist To Represent The U.S. In Beijing". NY1. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c Bindman, Ariana (May 22, 2024). "One of the most unusual heists in America seems to be unfolding at Taco Bell". SFGate. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Mr. Smith goes to China". Alexandria Times. March 6, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b "A Hand-Painted Chrysler PT Cruiser and Artist Mark T. Smith Embark On 10-State Road Trip to Raise Funds for Operation Smile". Operation Smile. April 2002. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002.
- ^ Taylor, Glen (August 7, 2008). "Interview with official 2008 Olympic artist Mark T. Smith". Core77. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Make It Right Pink Project Auction". Pitt Watch. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
- ^ Bookhardt, D. Erik (November 20, 2019) [2007-07-30]. "Miami Vibe". Best of New Orleans: Gambit.