John Smith

John Smith created a substantial body of work that challenges conventional distinctions between documentary and fiction, representation and abstraction. Grounded in the ordinary aspects of life, his carefully crafted films whimsically delve into and unveil the cinematic language.

Biography of John Smith

John Smith, a British filmmaker, was born in 1952 in Walthamstow, a town in the London Borough. Smith attended North-East London Polytechnic and the Royal College of Art.

After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1977 with an MA, he joined the London Filmmakers Co-op, actively participating in its activities.

Since 1972, Smith has created over sixty film, video, and installation pieces exhibited in galleries and independent cinemas worldwide, earning significant awards at numerous international film festivals. In 2011, he was honored with a Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Artists, and in 2013, he received Film London's Jarman Award.

Smith frequently presents his work in person and has been featured in retrospectives, including the 2007 Venice Biennale and numerous film festivals.

John Smith's recent solo exhibitions include "John Smith: Waldeinsamkeit - Films from the 21st Century" at Kunstmuseum Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen in Magdeburg (2022), "S.O.S - Recent Films by John Smith" at Kate MacGarry in London (2020), "John Smith: The Girl Chewing Gum" at Fine Arts in Sydney (2019), "Films in Sheep's Clothing" at Alma Zevi in Venice (2017), and many more.

Additionally, he has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including "Life is More Important Than Art" at Whitechapel Gallery in London (2023), "TWENTY" at Kate MacGarry in London (2022), "Instantly! Street Photography in Vienna" at Museen der Stadt Wien in Vienna (2022), "Hidden in Plain Sight" at Stephen Lawrence Gallery in London (2022), among others.

Currently, the artist lives in works in London.