Barbara T. Smith, Barbara T. Smith: The Way to Be
February 28 – July 16, 2023, Getty Center, Los Angeles
Photography © J. Paul Getty Trust
Barbara T. Smith, Barbara T. Smith: The Way to Be
February 28 – July 16, 2023, Getty Center, Los Angeles
Photography © J. Paul Getty Trust
Barbara T. Smith, Holy Squash
March 25 - May 7, 2022, Andrew Kreps Gallery, 394 Broadway, New York
Photo: Dan Bradica
Barbara T. Smith, Holy Squash
March 25 - May 7, 2022, Andrew Kreps Gallery, 394 Broadway, New York
Photo: Dan Bradica
Barbara T. Smith, Holy Squash
March 25 - May 7, 2022, Andrew Kreps Gallery, 394 Broadway, New York
Photo: Dan Bradica
Barbara T. Smith, The 21st Century Odyssey
April 13 – May 25, 2019, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith, The 21st Century Odyssey
April 13 – May 25, 2019, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith, The 21st Century Odyssey
April 13 – May 25, 2019, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith, Outside Chance
January 18 - February 24, 2018 Andrew Kreps Gallery, 537 W 22nd Street, New York
Barbara T. Smith
Just Plain Facts, 1965-66
Xerox
14 x 8 1/2 inches (35.6 x 21.6 cm); 16 5/8 x 11 1/16 x 1 1/2 inches (42.2 x 28.1 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
Xerox, Birth, 1965-66
Xerox
14 x 8 1/2 inches (35.6 x 21.6 cm); 16 5/8 x 11 1/16 x 1 1/2 inches (42.2 x 28.1 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
Untitled, 1965-66
Xerox
Left: 11 x 8 inches (27.9 x 20.3 cm); 14 x 10 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches (35.6 x 27.3 x 3.8 cm) framed;
Middle: 12 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (31.8 x 21 cm); 16 x 11 1/16 x 1 1/2 inches (40.6 x 28.1 x 3.8 cm) framed;
Right: 13 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (34.3 x 21 cm); 16 1/2 x 11 1/16 x 1 1/2 inches (41.9 x 28.1 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
Untitled, 1965-66
Xerox
10 parts: 11 x 9 inches (27.9 x 22.9 cm) each; 13 5/8 x 11 1/16 x 1 1/2 inches (34.6 x 28.1 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
Untitled, 1965-66
Xerox
11 x 8 1/2 inches (27.9 x 21.6 cm) each; 13 5/8 x 20 1/16 x 1 1/2 inches (34.6 x 51 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
Memo Pad, 1965
Xerox sculpture
11 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 3 inches (28.6 x 22.2 x 7.6 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
The Longest Day of Night, 1973
Mixed media installation
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
The Longest Day of Night (Vintage Color Photographs), 1973
Barbara T. Smith
The Longest Day of Night (Photographs by Boris Sojka and Vaughan Rachel), 1973
The Longest Day of Night (Souvenier booklet), 1973
The Longest Day of Night (Invitation Scan), 1973
The Longest Day of Night and Cross Fire, String of High Intensity Bulbs, 1973
The Longest Day of Night, Audio Oscillator, 1973
Barbara T. Smith
The Longest Day of Night (Photographs by Boris Sojka and Vaughan Rachel), 1973
The Longest Day of Night ( Souvenier booklet), 1973
The Longest Day of Night (Invitation Scan), 1973
The Longest Day of Night and Cross Fire , String of High Intensity Bulbs, 1973
The Longest Day of Night, Audio Oscillator, 1973
Barbara T. Smith
Scan 1, 1974
Mixed media installation
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Masks, 1974, Fabric and lipstick
Scan 1 (Cue Cards), 1974, Cue cards
Scan 1, Vintage Photographs, 1974
Barbara T. Smith
Outside Chance, 1975
Mixed media installation
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Outside Chance, 1975
Vintage Photographs
Barbara T. Smith
1 Set of Snowflakes, 1975
PDP10 computer print on white sprocketed gate folded paper
7 parts: 11 x 9 1/2 inches (27.9 x 24.1 cm) each; 13 5/8 x 12 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches (34.6 x 31.1 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
1 Set of Snowflakes, 1975
PDP10 computer print on white sprocketed gate folded paper
11 x 9 1/2 inches (27.9 x 24.1 cm); 13 5/8 x 12 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches (34.6 x 31.1 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith, Words, Sentences & Signs
September 17 - October 29, 2016, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith, Words, Sentences & Signs
September 17 - October 29, 2016, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith, Words, Sentences & Signs
September 17 - October 29, 2016, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith, Words, Sentences & Signs
September 17 - October 29, 2016, The Box, Los Angeles
Barbara T. Smith
OOOO, 1966
Pen, paper
25 5/8 x 19 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches (65.1 x 49.5 x 3.8 cm) framed
Barbara T. Smith
Portrait of an Apple, 1964
Colored pencil, pen on paper
Barbara T. Smith
The Cloistered Study, 1976
Color photos, found objects mounted on felt; Vintage b/w photograph mounted on chipboard; Performance artifact: color photos, plastic photo case with embroidery fragment as tie
Dimensions: Variable
Barbara T. Smith, The Smell of Almonds: Resin Works, 1968-1982
February 28th - March 28th, 2015, Andrew Kreps Gallery, 537 W 22nd Street, New York
Barbara T. Smith
Trunk Piece, 1969-72
Antique trunk, Persian carpet, 100 unique objects
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Trunk Piece, 1969-72
Antique trunk, Persian carpet, 100 unique objects
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith, The Smell of Almonds: Resin Works, 1968-1982
February 28th - March 28th, 2015, Andrew Kreps Gallery, 537 W 22nd Street, New York
Barbara T. Smith
The Field Piece, 1968 - 1972
16 fiberglass resin blades, Ethafoam, wood, light bulbs, electronics with two photo collage, resin Schematics
114 x 96 x 96 inches (289.6 x 243.8 x 243.8 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Model 1 (light), 1971
15 3/4 x 19 x 7 1/2 inches (40 x 48.3 x 19.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Model 1 (light), 1971
15 3/4 x 19 x 7 1/2 inches (40 x 48.3 x 19.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Model 1 (light), 1971
15 3/4 x 19 x 7 1/2 inches (40 x 48.3 x 19.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Model 2 (dark), 1971
15 3/4 x 19 x 7 1/2 inches (40 x 48.3 x 19.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Model 2 (dark), 1971
15 3/4 x 19 x 7 1/2 inches (40 x 48.3 x 19.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Faces, 1971
Photograph mounted in resin
21 1/2 x 18 1/8 inches (54.6 x 46 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Faces, 1971
Photograph mounted in resin
21 1/2 x 20 1/4 inches (54.6 x 51.4 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Faces, 1971
Photograph mounted in resin
20 3/4 x 18 3/4 inches (52.7 x 47.6 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Faces, 1971
Photograph mounted in resin
20 3/4 x 18 3/4 inches (52.7 x 47.6 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Schematic 8, 1971
Collage, photo, resin
42 x 33 x 1 1/2 inches (106.7 x 83.8 x 3.8 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Schematic 7, 1971
Collage, photo, resin
48 x 23 x 1 1/2 inches (121.9 x 58.4 x 3.8 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Schematic 6, 1971
Collage, photo, resin
31 x 25 x 1 1/2 inches (78.7 x 63.5 x 3.8 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Field Piece Schematic 2, 1971
Collage, photo, resin
25 x 15 1/2 inches (63.5 x 39.4 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Holy Squash, 1971
Digital video transfer, altar fiberglass drawing and cast test tubes, bag with foam, spacing material in bag, plastic drop cloth with overspray, 3 foam sheets with overspray, 4 foam sheets, reliquary, sound, staff with fiberglass hand, old shoes used during production, miscellaneous items from production, shirt used during production, The Holy Squash, plastic casting of original offering flowers
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Holy Squash, 1971
Digital video transfer, altar fiberglass drawing and cast test tubes, bag with foam, spacing material in bag, plastic drop cloth with overspray, 3 foam sheets with overspray, 4 foam sheets, reliquary, sound, staff with fiberglass hand, old shoes used during production, miscellaneous items from production, shirt used during production, The Holy Squash, plastic casting of original offering flowers
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Holy Squash, 1971
Digital video transfer, altar fiberglass drawing and cast test tubes, bag with foam, spacing material in bag, plastic drop cloth with overspray, 3 foam sheets with overspray, 4 foam sheets, reliquary, sound, staff with fiberglass hand, old shoes used during production, miscellaneous items from production, shirt used during production, The Holy Squash, plastic casting of original offering flowers
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Holy Squash, 1971
Digital video transfer, altar fiberglass drawing and cast test tubes, bag with foam, spacing material in bag, plastic drop cloth with overspray, 3 foam sheets with overspray, 4 foam sheets, reliquary, sound, staff with fiberglass hand, old shoes used during production, miscellaneous items from production, shirt used during production, The Holy Squash, plastic casting of original offering flowers
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith
Holy Squash, 1971
Digital video transfer, altar fiberglass drawing and cast test tubes, bag with foam, spacing material in bag, plastic drop cloth with overspray, 3 foam sheets with overspray, 4 foam sheets, reliquary, sound, staff with fiberglass hand, old shoes used during production, miscellaneous items from production, shirt used during production, The Holy Squash, plastic casting of original offering flowers
Dimensions variable
Barbara T. Smith, The Smell of Almonds: Resin Works, 1968-1982
February 28th - March 28th, 2015, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York
Barbara T. Smith
Birthdaze: Get Well Soon, 1981
Collage, photo, resin
19 x 19 x 2 inches (48.3 x 48.3 x 5.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Birthdaze: St. Barbara Triptych, 1981
Collage, photo, resin
40 x 12 x 2 inches (101.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Alien Ambassador Souvenir, 1982
Collage, photo, resin
18 x 22 x 2 1/2 inches (45.7 x 55.9 x 6.4 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Alien Ambassador Souvenir (Vendor Dome), 1982
Collage, photo, resin
17 x 13 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches (43.2 x 34.3 x 6.4 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Memo Pad, 1965
Xerox sculpture
11 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 3 inches (28.6 x 22.2 x 7.6 cm)
Barbara T. Smith
Orange, 1965
Xerox prints
37 7/8 x 59 3/4 inches (96.2 x 151.8 cm)
Since the 1960s, Barbara T. Smith’s work has demonstrated an engagement with issues of spirituality, gender, and power, making vital contributions to both feminist discourse, and the history of West Coast performance art. Smith’s work is currently included in Experiments in Electrostatics: Photocopy Art from the Whitney’s Collection, 1966–1986, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, through March 2018. Smith received her BA from Pomona College in 1953, and MFA in 1971 from University of California, Irvine where she was a founding member of F-Space with Chris Burden and Nancy Buchanan. She has exhibited widely since the 1960s, and her work been represented in several historic survey exhibitions that include Whatever Happened to Sex in Scandinavia?, Office for Contemporary Art, Oslo, Norway, 2009, and WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution, MoCA, Los Angeles, 2007, State of Mind, New California Art since 1970, Orange County Museum and Bronx Museum and The Radicalization of a 50’s Housewife at University of California, Irvine.
Proof is the first Barbara T. Smith's monograph documenting the full expanse of work dedicated to performance and publishing.
Performance has been the central orientation of my life since the mid-sixties when I, by virtue of a divorce, stepped out of conventional life into this art reality. From that new stance, my entire milieu became my art and all the things I do and make as well. —Barbara T. Smith
An artist's life in storage; an artist's practice of holding or discarding works of their own and others, teaches us about who they are as artists and what and who they value as influences. In the case of Barbara T. Smith, one sees both her support of friends whose works she admired and appreciated, and the dedication to safeguarding her own works, as a means to tell their story and create her legacy. In some cases she has stored these works for over 50 years.
Since the 1960s, Barbara T. Smith (b. 1931 in Pasadena) has been at the forefront of artistic movements in California. Her work explores concepts that strike at the core of human nature, including sexuality, physical and spiritual sustenance, technology, and death. This autobiographical exhibition with an accompanying publication explores the artist's first 50 years, which were marked by dramatic upheavals in her personal life as well as the development of her most pioneering works, including her Xerox art and radical early performances.
