I am a full-time gallery artist, living and working on the edge of the Peak District National Park. My figurative sculptures re-interpret fairytales and fables for a contemporary grown-up audience. My version of Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, for instance, has a modern twist; she is presented not as an innocent victim, but as a confident femme fatale. The style is bold and semi-abstract with graceful sweeping curves and simplified details. I strive for a dream-like and contemplative quality to my work.

According to an introduction to Aesop’s Fables “There can be no good fable with human beings in it. There can be no good fairytale without them”. With this in mind I view my work as splitting into two main categories: Fairytales (such as Red Riding Hood), and Fables (for example “The Hare and the Tortoise”). However ideas can come from other places too; song lyrics or everyday phrases and sayings. These ideas all go into the melting pot of my sketchbooks, and hopefully emerge with new meanings and resonances.

There is often an element of dark humour in my work, nothing is as it first appears and nothing can be taken for granted. I use children’s stories as the vehicle to explore, in terms of adult-oriented concerns, the universal themes raised; love and jealousy, duplicity and trust.

My work is solidly rooted in the figurative tradition. Of all the artists of the past I particularly admire the work of Elie Nadelman. A Polish-born sculptor working in the earlier part of the last century, he was innovative in his wonderful sense of fluid line and form, influenced by American folk art.

Some of my figurative ceramic sculptures are hand-built one-offs, others are press-moulded limited edition ceramics. Some of my original sculptures are cast to produce bronzes in limited editions of 9.

I make large Polychrome (coloured mixed media) sculptures for outdoor settings in editions of 9 or 12, and also smaller bronze resin sculptures for indoors.

PAUL SMITH
CURRICULUM VITAE (2010)

Born: Northampton 1961

1983 Leicester Polytechnic 2:1 BA(Hons) Fine Art Sculpture
1985 Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy (St.Albans) (I have worked full-time from my own sculpture studio since 1998)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2010 Sep Cambridge Contemporary Art – “Unnatural History”
2004 June Cambridge Contemporary Art - “if you go down to the woods today”
2001 July Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Derbyshire - “Animalism”

SMALL-GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2007 June Cambridge Contemporary Art – “Telling Tales” – 2 person show with painter Nicola Slattery
1999 May Ashbourne Gallery, Derbyshire - 2 Man Show

ART FAIRS
1999-2008 Glasgow Art Fair - with the Lost Gallery (April)
2000-2010 Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London (except 2004) -with the Lost Gallery and then the Hayloft Gallery
2008-2010 Affordable Art Fair, Bristol (with the Hayloft Gallery)

ARTS FESTIVALS
2009-2010 British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate
2008 July Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (RHS)
2006-2009 Wirksworth Festival, Derbyshire (September)
2008-2010 Art in Action, Ireland
2000-2010 Potfest in the Park, Cumbria (July) - (except 2005)
2000-2008 Art in Clay, Hatfield House, Herts (August)
2004 June Earth and Fire, Rufford, Notts
2003-2004 Gouda, Netherlands (May)
2002 May Swalmen and Milsbeek, Netherlands

AWARDS
2000 Aug The Derbyshire Prize at the Derbyshire Open
2004 Nov Highly Commended in the Zelli Porcelain Award

My ceramic sculptures are often unique, hand-built one-offs. Using a system of rods developed by Ian Gregory, I freely build the figures, removing the supports once the clay can withstand its own weight.

I have adapted Ian's technique by incorporating a solid 'back-iron' support. These working methods allow for free and spontaneous variations on a particular theme, each piece being subtly different from its predecessor.

I sponge-decorate my work with oxides, stains and glazes. All my sculptures are individually signed and dated.

I also produce a collection of press-moulded sculptures in limited editions of 24 or 50.

2010 February – Figurines-Sculpture.com

"British clay artist Paul Smith takes ancient myths and tales, some of which are as old or older than ceramics itself, and weaves them into wonderful and amusing pieces of fine art (see Clay Artists section).

In my opinion I think Paul's work really stands out. Elsewhere on this site I have written more about Smith and how he fits into the big picture .

Personally, my favourite clay artist is UK sculptor Paul Smith. He is not a studio potter, but produces one off clay art pieces.

They are based on european folk tales as old as the hills and he uses an art form (ceramics) which is older than the hills.

I find them stunning, amusing, simple, telling and beautiful"

Peter Holland www.figurines-sculpture.com

2007 June – Cambridge Contemporary Art
'Telling Tales' - 2 person show with painter Nicola Slattery

"At a time when so much contemporary art is meaningless, self absorbed, visually dull, it is a joy to see the work of Paul Smith and Nicola Slattery. They celebrate a largeness of spirit, an innocence and a delight in the infinite possibilities of being human.  This is magical art, pure, humorous and strong.”   Sister Wendy Beckett

2004 September - Ceramic Review
Full review of Cambridge Solo Show.  Also reviews in Cambridge Evening News and  Arts East

"Paul Smith's art is firmly rooted in the figurative tradition but at the same time goes well beyond representation"

Dr Alan Borg CBE FSA Director of Victoria & Albert Museum (1995-2001)

2002 May - Kensington Times
Pictures and text regarding work at Chelsea Art Fair

"I particularly liked Feathered Friends by Paul Smith. It manages to be both sensual and funny"

Nadia Warner

2001 August - Derby Evening Telegraph
Full Review of Buxton Solo Show

"Few recent solo exhibitors have so completely established a presence at this venue as Paul Smith. It would be difficult to remain indifferent to this show. The most singular distinguishing characteristic is the sculptor's advanced plastic vocabulary"

John Fineran Derby Evening Telegraph

2001 > Numerous Magazines & Newspapers...

…have carried images of my work including: Country Living, Country Life, The Guardian, BBC Homes & Antiques, Ceramic Review.

Studio Visits

I have a spacious well lit ceramics studio situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park with views of the surrounding Derbyshire fields and hills.

Studio visits are most welcome, and can be arranged by booking an appointment with me.

Please ring 07972 792481 or email me to arrange a visit.