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Smiley's work is in public places, gardens, homes,
offices, boardrooms, museums and religious settings. He has
taught sculpture, worked for many clients and has a
reputation for quality. He has travelled extensively. Aside
from public work he has produced a large body of personal
work for exhibition
"As a child, seeing reproductions of work by great
artists and being struck with wonder that they could make
such images, the seed was planted, and in my 20’s I became
an artist. Similarly nature is a constant source of
inspiration for me, a different magic, and is always a guide
or reference point in everything I make."
"My work varies enormously as do the media I work in,
because I respond differently to different subjects,
situations and ideas, and all of it has altered over time.
This is essential for me if I am to remain a participant in
the deeply personal act of art. On a bad day I can’t even
walk into the studio, on a good one I can’t leave. I believe
that most artists have similar experiences."
After his initial art training Smiley worked in
sculpture-casting foundries for 15 years. This was followed
by a similar length period as a commercial sculptor for
arts-related production companies, as well as film, theatre,
television and puppetry. During all this time he continued
to make his own work.
"Early in my training I discovered that I had a facility
with sculpture, that volume and form came relatively easily
to me. I knew I had a lot to learn but constant challenge
only increased my enthusiasm.. "Painting grew out of a
sculptural need. To better understand 3 dimensional space
via drawing I decided to work with, and in, the landscape.
Drawing gave way to painting…"
"Painting in the landscape among the magpies and bull
ants is a mad experience. Sometimes cold others windy or
hot, all the while staying focused and passionate about my
choice of subject. Studio work is never like this, but I
love the chaos of it."
"If you ask me about anything I have made I am unlikely
to give a simple answer, because every piece is different
and has its own life, not entirely in my control. At a
certain point when I stop struggling with a painting or
sculpture it begins to make itself, and that is the magic."
Smiley works and lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Smiley Williams - CV |