Gemma Smith / Silk Scarf

Artist, Gemma Smith painted on a piece of 16mm organic silk satin that was sent to us for quality approval.

Tartan Mind Mend: Tell us your idea about your re-imagined Tartan piece.
Gemma Smith: Painting on silk was new to me. The bleed of the paint into the fabric took some getting used to. The movement of the brush was delightfully slippery. The sheen of the fabric remains, to be experienced, through the applied colour. I’m inspired to try some more silk painting!

TMM: What creative pursuits or little rituals helped you through lockdown?
GS: During lockdown I made a daily practice of painting a single colour swatch which had the consequence of slowing down my studio processes.

Gemma Smith is a visual artist who’s practice explores colour, and approaches to abstraction through the expansive field of painting.

Since 2000, Smith’s work has featured in more than 100 exhibitions. Notable among them are: Know My Name, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 2021; Rhythm Sequence, UNSW Galleries, Sydney, 2019; Superposition of three types, Artspace, Sydney, 2017; Painting. More Painting, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne, 2016.

Smith’s work is held in museum, corporate and private collections, including those of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth; Queensland College of Art and Griffith Artworks, Brisbane; Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane; University of Queensland, Brisbane; Monash University Museum of Art, Melbourne; Murdoch University, Perth; Deakin University, Melbourne.

Smith has produced several public artworks, including Bourke Street Tangle, 2020; Triple Tangle, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Foyer Commission, 2018; and Collision and Improvisation (ceiling), 2012, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane.

Smith has lived and studied in Sydney, Brisbane and Pittsburgh. Since 2014 Smith has been based in her hometown of Sydney.

Smith has exhibited regularly with Sarah Cottier Gallery since 2006; with Milani Gallery, Brisbane since 2008; and Starkwhite, Auckland, as of 2020.

100% Organic Silk Satin
Gentle Hand Wash
Do Not Tumble Dry

122cm x 82cm

Due to the handmade/second hand nature of this item any imperfections are considered intentional and are unique characteristics of this one of a kind piece. Over time changes may occur. Handle with care. No exchanges or refunds are available for Tartan Mind Mend charity auction items.

@gemmasmithstudio
www.gemma-smith.com
www.sarahcottiergallery.com