Renée Lee Smith
Both Sides Now
Smith’s second show with the gallery, Both Sides, Now, borrows its title from a song by Joni Mitchell. Referencing the urgency of a strong female voice in the arts (and beyond), the new sculptures recall fashion maquettes or religious idols. Sleek in their construction, but imperfect from the casting process, the duality of each work offers a visually intriguing conversation that warrants further investigation.
“Renée Lee Smith’s latest series of sculptures retain many of the expressive characteristics of her painting. Made in paper mache, then cast in bronze, the elongated forms are densely textured and bear resemblance to ancient icons from a lost civilization. The sculptures are an evocation of female form. They recall Giacometti’s existential, alienated humans, while at the same time suggesting a stronger desire to see the body as a vessel of possibility and transcendence.”
--Derek Root
Having trained as a painter under her mother, P. Root Smith, and drawing influence from her cousin Derek Root (a member of the Young Romantics), Smith has experimented with several mediums, including encaustic painting and sculpture. After her schooling at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Smith’s practice split from strict fashion illustration to explore the subtlety found in nature. Combining these interests, her new sculptures present a reexamination of the female form through abstract anatomy and textured surfaces.
“Renée Lee Smith’s latest series of sculptures retain many of the expressive characteristics of her painting. Made in paper mache, then cast in bronze, the elongated forms are densely textured and bear resemblance to ancient icons from a lost civilization. The sculptures are an evocation of female form. They recall Giacometti’s existential, alienated humans, while at the same time suggesting a stronger desire to see the body as a vessel of possibility and transcendence.”
--Derek Root
Having trained as a painter under her mother, P. Root Smith, and drawing influence from her cousin Derek Root (a member of the Young Romantics), Smith has experimented with several mediums, including encaustic painting and sculpture. After her schooling at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Smith’s practice split from strict fashion illustration to explore the subtlety found in nature. Combining these interests, her new sculptures present a reexamination of the female form through abstract anatomy and textured surfaces.
Renee Lee Smith | Being There
Opening Reception
Friday, February 28th, 2014
From 6-9 pm
Painter Renee Lee Smith produces figurative works that depict the life and landscape of the West Coast. In her most recent paintings, Renee has decided to work backwards by starting with a black canvas, the result are works that capture the various lights and moods that are true to this region. The exhibition references our memory of place with a strong sense of nostalgia.
Taught by her mother P. Root Smith to paint and influenced by her cousin Derek Root (a member of the Young Romantics) Renee has experimented with encaustic painting, sculpture and several other mediums. Originally trained in fashion illustration at FIT in NYC her eye has always gravitated towards the subtleness found in nature.
Friday, February 28th, 2014
From 6-9 pm
Painter Renee Lee Smith produces figurative works that depict the life and landscape of the West Coast. In her most recent paintings, Renee has decided to work backwards by starting with a black canvas, the result are works that capture the various lights and moods that are true to this region. The exhibition references our memory of place with a strong sense of nostalgia.
Taught by her mother P. Root Smith to paint and influenced by her cousin Derek Root (a member of the Young Romantics) Renee has experimented with encaustic painting, sculpture and several other mediums. Originally trained in fashion illustration at FIT in NYC her eye has always gravitated towards the subtleness found in nature.
