Leon Smith

"Why I construct sculptures is somewhat of a mystery to me. I suspect, in some ways, it is a continuation of childhood play, where invention, improvisation and often a sense of mischief, are a key. The simple abstract shapes that I choose to work with give me the greatest freedom to manipulate and discover new forms without being bound by specific representational imagery.

The opposing qualities of form are what engage me most. Balance vs. precariousness, stability vs. movement, and the organic vs. the inorganic. I play with these elements until another dimension appears and until the form is pleasing to me. I'm partial to the double take, the paradox, but only if the work's formal qualities sustain interest and delight over a long period of time."

Resume

Residence: Resident of the U.S. since 1964. Mr. Smith maintains his home, studio and an outdoor sculpture park in Ancramdale, New York.

Education:

Sydney University, Australia

Sydney Art School

St. Martin's School of Art, London

Exhibited:

Ben Uri Gallery, Melbourne, Australia , 1963

NYC Revolving Sculpture Project, Brooklyn Courthouse, 1973

Prince Street Gallery, New York City, 1979

Gallery at Hastings on Hudson, 1987, 1989

Warburton Gallery, Hastings on Hudson NY

Ahava Gallery, Boca Raton, FL 1994-1997

Kirkestraad 58, Antwerp, Belgium , 1994

Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY, 1998

Sculpture in the Park Project, Hartsdale, NY, 1999

Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA,

1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006

Haddad Lascano Gallery, Gt. Barrington, MA 2004

CCCA Artswalk, 2004, 2005

CCCA, Hudson Opera House, NY 2004, 2005, 2006

2006 Chesterwood

Permanent installations:

The Green Chair at the Roecliff Jansen Community Library, Hillsdale, NY

City of Pittsfield , Pittsfield, MA

Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY

Iona College, New Rochelle, NY

Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Delancey Street Foundation, San Francisco, CA

Delancey Street Foundation, Santa Fe, NM