Gemma Smith facts for kids

Gemma Smith (born in 1978) is an Australian artist. She creates both paintings and sculptures. Gemma lives and works in Sydney. She has received many awards and been part of many art shows. Gemma is famous for always trying new things with colors and abstract art. Her artworks are found in museums, companies, and private collections all over Australia.

Early Life and Art School

Gemma Smith was born in Sydney. She lived there until 2004. From 2004 to 2012, she lived in Brisbane. Then, she spent two years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Today, she lives and works back in Sydney.

Gemma studied art at two universities. In 1999, she earned a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the Sydney College of the Arts. In 2004, she completed an honors year at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane.

Gemma Smith's Artworks

Gemma Smith is known for her abstract art. This type of art uses shapes, colors, and lines instead of showing things that look real. Even though some abstract art styles are old, Gemma believes it is still very much alive. She explores both sharp, geometric shapes and soft, organic forms in her art.

Exploring Shapes and Colors

In her early paintings, Gemma created crystal-like forms. She used these to explore different shapes, how things are placed, and bright colors. Later, she turned these ideas into three-dimensional sculptures.

As her art changed, her paintings moved from simple shapes. She started using bands of color mixed with free brush strokes. She used colors and weaving patterns to create interesting spaces that might not make sense at first glance.

Interactive Sculptures

Gemma's early sculptures were made from airplane plywood. They had hinges, which meant people could fold them. This allowed viewers to interact with the art, not just look at it.

Some of her newer sculptures are simple folded metal shapes. They are often just one color. These works remind people of famous artists like Alexander Calder, Anthony Caro, and Ellsworth Kelly.

Gemma works hard on her paintings. She often paints over old works because she keeps only about one out of ten paintings she makes. In her most recent paintings (from 2017 onwards), she uses softer colors. She often spreads these colors in layers to hide her brushstrokes. She is always trying new things.

Public Art Projects

Gemma Smith has also created art for public places. These are called commissioned artworks. One example is the Ceiling Artwork at the Supreme Court and District Court in Brisbane (2011–2012). Another is Synchro, Adaptable (Red Oxide/Peach) at Brisbane Airport (2010).

In 2018, Gemma finished a large mural called Triple Tangle. This artwork has loops of color. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney asked her to create it for their entry stairs. Gemma's constant experimentation is clear in how she made Triple Tangle. She said she painted it three times to get it just right. She kept changing the thickness of the lines until they looked perfect in the space.

Awards and Recognition

• 2024 Mosman Art Prize for her painting Pollen Prism. This painting was made with synthetic polymer paint on linen.

Art Collections

Gemma Smith's art is held in important collections across Australia. These include the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Art Exhibitions

In 2009, Gemma Smith had her own art show at the Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces in Melbourne. In 2011, she was an Artist in Residence at the Turner Galleries in Perth, where she also had a solo exhibition. In 2019, the School of Art & Design at UNSW held a special exhibition of her work called "Rhythm Sequence."