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Mark Smith’s works navigate the complexities of living with a disability. His early work deals with the physicality of the body and how it relates to the human condition. For Smith, the body becomes a non-negotiable starting point for existence.

Smith's text-based soft sculptures and ceramics put emotional responses into words. The works are philosophical propositions that reflect on his state of being. Smith enjoys playing with words and a recent work called Always look on the bright side of life is typical of Mark's attitude to life. The soft sculptures are visceral and textured. They incorporate stuffing, threads, and rich fabrics to create a malleable form. Making soft sculptures is a slow process. The works therefor reflect ‘a quality of being’ and the capacity to be ‘shaped or extended’.

'Malleability' includes soft sculptures, ceramics, mixed-media paintings, photography and video.

Mark Smith is an Arts Project Australia artist.

Mark Smith. HOPE, 2020. Material, stuffing, thread. 50 x 30 x 20 cm. Image courtesy the artist and Arts Project Australia

Suitable for

This exhibition is family friendly.

This exhibition includes video and sound content. Due to the varied sensory experience on display, this exhibition may be a difficult environment for visitors who experience sensory overload.

Contact

Counihan Gallery
Phone: 03 9389 8622
Email: CounihanGallery@moreland.vic.gov.au

Further information

For exhibition updates you can follow the Counihan Gallery Instagram page. You can also go to the Counihan Gallery Facebook page.

This exhibition is in Gallery 2.

Visit the Arts Project Australia website for more information about the organisation.

For more information, you can download the Roomsheet: Malleability (30Kb). Roomsheets are exhibition documents that include information such as exhibition statements, artist websites, artwork details and artwork prices.