Nick Smith
Nick Smith, a Lexington native, believes in the science associated with art. Whether it be through manipulations of his digital photographs, his paint-by-cannon “Explosionist” series, or his wax studies in heat transfer, his art defies the balance between studies in logic, and expressions of creativity. His work influenced deeply by that of M.C. Escher, Marcel Duchamp, and Jackson Pollock.
He received his first computer as a gift at age 16, and immediately began using it as an artistic outlet while mastering several image-manipulation programs. As personal computing evolves, so evolves his art; thus the advent of the digital camera allowed his artistic style to give way a unique form of abstract photomanipulation.
After September 11th, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he attended the Naval Nuclear Power School in Charleston, SC. While military life was not conducive to the creation of art, it was rather supplemental to it, building the educational foundations for what would later become forays into sculpture and other tangible art forms. After graduation and his eventual discharge, he yearned to apply his newly attained physics knowledge to his love for art.
While taking advantage of Charleston’s vast beauty and cultural significance, he was able to participate in his first art show, a fundraiser benefit for the Christel House. As a member of the International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers (IGODAP), his ultimate goal is to allow his art to give a voice to those silently suffering from harmful mental illness across the globe.
Catharsis is an often-overlooked aspect of life and mental health in today’s increasingly stoic society, and Nick’s art reflects this in his “Explosionist” series. Through careful use of different tools including fireworks, various water guns, and even a handmade paint cannon he generates simple, yet emotionally evocative images, imitating the outlet for release his art allows him.
After returning to Lexington, he began to experiment with applying his thermodynamics knowledge to his art, creating his “Pyroclast” series by applying hot wax to cold water at varying velocities and temperature differentials, thereby varying the split-second hardening effects of the water on the wax. The name was taken from a term used for rocks formed by lava floes.
Today, in Lexington again, he was recently accepted into Mensa International. His current and recent projects include exhibits with the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, and the Lock and Key in Georgetown.
Nick’s works have been displayed in homes on three continents, and he continues to hone his skills, having produced over 150 unique works since 2006.
Long Side of The Tracks SOLD
Photograph, 2002 – 20” x 16”) Taken from a shaky bridge over a long, lonely set of railroad tracks, this picture represents the solitude imposed on the victims of violence, be it domestic, or otherwise. In short, violence and aggression can never bring us together; they only serve to divide.
Lucere SOLD
(Photograph, 2007 – 20” x 16”) While passing through Cleveland, this arch caught my eye. Its brightness against an otherwise dark sky stood out to me as not so much a beacon of light, but a reflection of it, much like the moon is to the sun. As the whole city moved and danced around it, its stasis reminded me that only by looking at the things that reflect, can we see the relative motion of the things that illuminate.
What Did You Mean
(Photomanipulation, 2005 – 20” x 16”) Simply catharsis. Taken from a photo of a practice pistol target, it pits light vs. dark, solid figure vs. textured nothingness, and gives the viewer a chance to vicariously “blow off steam” via its subject matter.
Nick Smith, a Lexington native, began independently creating art at the age of 16. After two years of studying nuclear propulsion in the US Navy, he became interested in mixing art and the decidedly less creative field of science. Since his discharge in 2004, he has worked in both tangible and intangible media in order to further his knowledge and appreciation of color, and the emotions evoked thereby. Currently, he works as a printmaker in Lexington, and is a member of Bluegrass Mensa, as well as the International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers.