BARRY SMITH - ARTIST STATEMENT

I like textured and three dimensional artwork; artwork that has layers and embeds history and messages in and on the material; artwork that takes used, forgotten and discarded materials and objects and gives them new life, new forms, new meanings. My hope is that the viewer will not only be uplifted by an appealing or quirky form; but they also look for messages and personal meanings in my work.

Much of my work reflects themes of peace, meditation, nature and our journey through life and the environment. I primarily use found objects and salvaged or recycled materials in my work giving them new purpose and meaning.

BARRY SMITH - BIOGRAPHY

Barry Smith is a sculptural, assemblage and metal work artist based in Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Barry loves texture, rust and patina, and spends time recycling and salvaging materials and objects for his unique art works.

Barry has several but related streams of art work:

Larger outdoor sculptural pieces;

Small indoor sculptures and assemblages;

Three dimensional artists' books;

Beaten & 'Fold-Formed' metal objects; and

Placemaking public art.

Barry has exhibited in joint exhibitions with his wife Fiona Dempster and in group exhibitions across Australia.

Barry Smith was a finalist in the 2009 Southern Cross University Artists' Book Award and his work was acquired for the University's collection. His work is also held in private collections in Australia, Japan USA, UK and South Africa.

Barry is also currently collaborating with artist Noela Mills in creating the BAZOLA range of organic metallic art to wear.