Robert Smith
Artist Statement
The creative split second is truly living in the moment. In that fleeting fraction of a second the camera becomes an extension of my senses and emotions. Once the shutter is released I know I will never see and feel exactly that way again.
“Sensory Awareness” has proven a major and enduring influence in my development as a photographer by opening the world to finer sense perception. It continues to inform my ability to empathize with my natural surroundings. The technical aspects of photography are learnable but the transformation of empathy into an artful photographic composition springs from a deeper intuitive process.
Contrasts capture my eye first: differences in color and texture, form adjacent to form, their scale and weight, movement versus stasis and especially how light plays on all of these. In the end the most critical element of composition is to tie these aspects together in balance and harmony. All in a split second! I rarely crop my image.
Using 35mm, I work simply, unencumbered by elaborate equipment. With one lens, a normal focal length macro, and no filters or flash, I shoot nature directly, in color. Nature speaks of beauty, simplicity, delicacy, and strength. No rearranging is necessary.
My hope is that these images will be able to communicate my deeply felt connection with nature and share a part of this rich heritage with you. Thank you for coming and taking an extra moment to see and feel my work.
Robert Smith
Biography
One Person Exhibitions
2022 Viridian Artists, Inc.NYC
2019 Viridian Artists, Inc. NYC
2016 Viridian Artists, Inc. NYC
2009 Viridian Artists Inc, NYC
2007 Cornelia Street Cafe, NYC
2006 Viridian Artists Inc, NYC
2004 Viridian Artists Inc, NYC
2003 Cornelia Street Cafe, NYC
2001 Cornelia Street Cafe, NYC
2001 Viridian Artists Inc, NYC
1999 Cornelia Street Cafe, NYC
1999 Viridian Artists Inc., NYC
1996 Viridian Gallery, NYC
1993 Viridian Gallery, NYC
1991 Viridian Gallery, NYC
1989 Black Rock Gallery, Ancramdale, NY
1989 Viridian Gallery, NYC
1987 Modernage Gallery, NYC
1986 Viridian Gallery, NYC
1985 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Museum, Invitational and Juried Exhibitions
2014 Monhegan Island, ME Quadricentennial
2008 New York Hall of Science, Flushing, NY
2003 80 Washington Square East Galleries, NYC
1999 Albright-Knox Museum, Buffalo, NY
1996 Maine Arts Commission, Blaine House, Augusta, ME
1995 Salmagundi Club, NYC
1994 Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1994 Salmagundi Club, NYC
1989 American Museum of Natural History, NYC
1988 80 Washington Square East Galleries, NYC
1985 80 Washington Square East Galleries, NYC
1984 Fine Arts Museum of Long Island, Hempstead, NY
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022-1987 Viridian Artists, Inc. NYC
2009 Rockefeller Gallery, No. Tarrytown, NY
2008-1997 Viridian Artists Inc., NYC
2006 Fountain Street Gallery, Cape Girardeau, MO
2004 Empire State Building, NYC
2003 FAB Gallery, Chicago, IL
2002 Core Gallery, New Paltz, NY
2002 Manhattanville College, Tarrytown, NY
2001 Onward Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2001 Pirate Gallery, Denver, CO
2000 Unibank Building, NYC
1999 MAPRA Maison des Arts Plastiques Rhone-Alpes, Lyon, France
1999 John Jay College, NYC
1999 Unibank Building, NYC
1999 Gallery 128, NYC
1997 College of Mount St. Vincent, Pelham, NY
1996 Chinese Cultural Institute, Boston, MA
1996 John Jay College, NYC
1996-1987 Viridian Gallery, NYC
1992 Lever House, NYC
1990 Suzuki Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
1990 Kyoni Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
1990 John Jay College, NYC
1987 Concordia College, Bronxville, NY
1986 World Trade Center, NYC
1984 Bromfield Gallery, Boston, MA