London artist Gregory Smart debuts newest exhibition
Artist Gregory Smart pictured with one of his paintings. Photo credit: Matt Crockett |
The Empire Gallery presents Eye Blood You, an exhibition of etchings, oil paintings and watercolours by Gregory Smart.
Smart cuts a curious figure, as artists tend to do. He comes from a background that arguably offers a lot of inspiration. His great-grandfather was circus showman Billy Smart, his mother a trapeze artist, and his father a tightrope walker.
Instead of flying high with the rest of his familial performers, Smart attended Bryanston School and the Farnham School of Art. He recently graduated with an MA from The Prince's Drawing School.
Not only is he well educated, and well dressed, with a vest, button down and ultra-hip scarf, he is also well connected. Mr Smart's girlfriend, who doubles as his public relations agent also heads the press department for The Bodies exhibition.
"The story that Michael Jackson contacted us, last week. I planted that." She says while pointing a perfectly manicured finger at herself. Coiffed and carefree, she cuts a sexy figure in a sequined dress while mingling; champagne in one hand, the other grazing shoulders, touching arms as she entertains the guests.
The gallery is perfect. Well lit, filled with interesting people, there is a cute dog scuffing around for a pat on the belly, and a pretty girl popping cold bottles of bubbles, while downstairs a lady with a pretty hat checks names on the list.
Even though it's an exhibition the art is really the last thing that catches your eye. But when it does, eventually get your attention, it does it well.
Smarts etchings are powerful and full of life. Elaborate and strong, they would be perfect fabric designs, but they also work fantastically on the walls. When you start to focus on one, it is almost difficult to look away. His yellows are striking and reds so deep they seem layered.
 Photo credit: Matt Crockett |
"Yellow is really the colour of life for me. It's happy, intense but also clown-esque because it's frivolous. It's the colour of comedy." says Smart when I point at one of my favourite pieces.
This depth of perception doesn't go for all of the prints. Some strike you as boys-room posters.
But the watercolours also enthral. Dancing figures, blue men, dog's phallus and vibrant vibes jump at you from several pieces and make the room come to life with energy.
Smart grew up within his family's circus, and the repeated motif of the grid in the etchings, hints at knowledge of modernism but also alludes to the boardwalks and metalwork plates that made up the fairground rides and circus props he recalls from his youth.
The tragicomedy of it all is really reflected in the overall exhibition aswell. Some pieces are stunning, others pale in comparison
This is an expressionist's language that favours suggestion over description.
Smart plays that game well.
When I asked him what Eye Blood You meant, he simply said;
"I came up with it one night in bed with my girlfriend. Obviously when you say it, you think of something. I would like to leave the rest up to the viewer."
So we are left to draw our own conclusion. But not without a little help from Smart's friends.
Flashing cameras (most photographers are friends of the artist) and a buzzing crowd make for a great opening. I am sure that a visit now will provide anyone with the same energy boost.
