Michael Smither

Michael Smither is one of New Zealand's leading contemporary artists. Since the sixties, his name and images have appeared in every major NZ art publication. His continual growing status makes him a must for any art lover's collection.

With the expertise of his father Bill Smither, he produced a stunning portfolio of over 250 silkscreen print editions, being strongly of the view that Art should be accessible and affordable to all. An obsessive draftsman who is seldom found without his drawing equipment nearby he makes available his personal view and vision through the many mediums he pursues. Michael Smither works in painting, printmaking sculpture and mixed media.

''Often my paintings take a long time to complete; they become autobiographical, absorbing emotional intellectual and spiritual developments. So the first simple response to the visual, develops unexpected elements reflecting a lifetimes traumas and memories. My interest in the recognizable images dates from childhood experiences of the power of images to liberate imagination and emotions. There followed a need to be one of those people who invent these silent, two-dimensional fantasies. The artist has had many social positions from early shaman to craftsman, from thinker and philosopher to supporter of revolution and doubtful regimes. To be an artist in our time is to be answerable to all these things yet still be aware of traps of academic concepts and the market place one-word mentality. I believe my artwork to be part of that awareness.'' Michael Smither 1995

Born 29 October, Michael attended Elam School of Fine Art . In 1968, he was awarded the H. C. Richards Memorial Prize which was followed by the Francis Hodgkin's Fellowship in 1970, then the A.S.P.A.C. Fellowship to Japan in 1971. He has worked as a professional artist since 1961, producing paintings, sculpture and musical works. Michaels works are housed in the
permanent collections of: Auckland City Art Gallery Te Papa, Wellington McDougal Art Gallery, Christchurch, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and many other provincial Art Galleries, businesses and homes.