Artist Statement
The mismatch between how we appear on the outside and how we actually feel on the inside is central to my practice. My three-dimensional glossy paintings range from fully abstract works, with taut distended skins of heavy coagulated paint to strange creature-like forms. Surfaces shift between mirror-like smoothness and deeply textured wrinkles and furrows.
Containment of paint is important in my abstract paintings. The sculptural protrusions may appear fragile and ready to burst, yet they remain resilient, encasing their innards within an impermeable shell. This enveloping reflects the shielding of emotions and the masking of anxiety and unease. It offers a place of safety to listen, watch, consider and contemplate. Although on occasion, the structures will fail in their making, paint slumps and partially escapes, leaving a deflated skin and traces of strength behind.
In contrast, the subjects that emerge in my creature paintings feel no need to take shelter or mask their feelings; they are confident enough to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Feisty and wilful, they exist beyond the constraints of politeness, proudly embracing their faults and imperfections.
Bio
Angela Smith was born in Lincoln and lives and works in Sussex, UK, she graduated from the University of Brighton in 2008 with a degree in Fine Art Painting. She won the Cass Art Solo Show Award at the National Open Art Exhibition, which led to her exhibition Precarious in Islington in late 2018. Previous solo shows include Surface Tension at Lacey Contemporary Gallery London in 2016 and The Unsaid at New Greenham Arts Newbury which was awarded as a prize shortly after she graduated. Her work has been selected for many group shows including The London Group Open (2025, 2017, 2015, 2013), The Royal Academy (2022, 2012) and The Discerning Eye (2017, 2016, 2010, 2009) where she was awarded the Parker Harris prize.
Education
2005-2008 BA(Hons) Fine Art Painting, University of Brighton
Solo and Two Person Exhibitions
2022 Angela Smith and Caroline Pick, Nu Artists, Gallery 207, Lewes
2018 Precarious (solo), The Space, Cass Art Islington, London
2016 Surface Tension (solo), Lacey Contemporary Gallery, London
2015 The Labyrinth Inside, Lacey Contemporary Gallery, London
2014 Café Projects, Towner, Eastbourne
2012 Angela Smith and Mark Hall, Modern Artists Gallery, Berkshire
2009 The Unsaid (solo), The Gallery, New Greenham Arts, Newbury
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 Holding Form, South Street, Lewes
2026 Resonance, Fabrica, Brighton
2026 The First Round Proper, BLOC projects, Sheffield
2026 Best of Sussex, Kellie Miller Arts, Brighton
2026 Break Cover, One to ten gallery, Hastings
2025 Winter, Thrown Contemporary, London
2025 The London Group Open, Copeland Gallery, London
2025 Paintworks, Emma Mason Gallery, Eastbourne
2024 The Sussex Contemporary, Marine Workshops, Newhaven
2024 The New Immortals, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
2023 Winter, Thrown Contemporary, London
2023 Spring, Modern Artists Gallery, Oxfordshire
2022 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London
2022 Yoolysees, Electro Studios Project Space, St Leonards on Sea
2021 Full Frontal, Debenhams storefront, Eastbourne
2021 Endangered Species, Modern Artists Gallery, Oxfordshire
2021 Nu Artists, South Street, Lewes
2020 Winter, Thrown Contemporary, London
2019 Re-Assemble, Collyer Bristow Gallery, London
2019 My Artists Telescope, jerwoodgallery.org
2019 Autumn, Modern Artists Gallery, Oxfordshire
2018 In Suspense, Thrown Contemporary, London
2018 Mainly Abstract, Modern Artists Gallery, Oxfordshire
2017 National Open Art Winners’ Show, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
2017 The London Group Open, The Cello Factory, London
2017 National Open Art Exhibition, Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, London
2017 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2017 Winter Warmer, Lacey Contemporary Gallery, London
2016 The Discerning Eye Prizewinners’ Show, Triforium, Temple Church, London
2016 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2016 Signed and Numbered, Lacey Contemporary Gallery, London
2016 The New Immortals, Phoenix Gallery, Brighton
2015 The London Group Open, The Cello Factory, London
2014 Reality Departure, Lacey Contemporary Gallery, London
2014 Chinese Whispers, London toured to Galerie Nasty Alice, Eindhoven
2014 The Tribe Prize, Edgar Modern, Bath
2014 Paint Like You Mean It, IR11, Edinburgh
2014 East Sussex Open, Towner, Eastbourne
2014 20 Painters, Phoenix Gallery, Brighton
2013 Growth, Karin Janssen Project Space, London
2013 The Open West, Newark Park toured to The Wilson, Cheltenham
2013 The London Group Centenary Open, The Cello Factory, London
2012 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London
2012 Bite, Mall Galleries, London
2012 Oriel Davies Open, Oriel Davies Gallery, Powys, Wales
2011 East Sussex Open, Towner, Eastbourne
2010 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2010 Penang International, Penang State Museum and Gallery, Malaysia
2010 East Sussex Open, Towner, Eastbourne
2009 Postcards from Dystopia, Nolias Gallery, London
2009 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2008 In Common, Corn Exchange and New Greenham Arts, Newbury
2008 Fine Art Painting Degree Show, University of Brighton, Brighton
Prizes and awards
2021 Outdoor art commission by Full Frontal Eastbourne
2018 Awarded Highly Commended in the Rise Art Prize
2017 Winner of Cass Art Solo Show Award, National Open Art Exhibition
2014 Shortlisted for The Tribe Prize, Edgar Modern, Bath
2014 Shortlisted for the IR11 Painting Prize, Edinburgh
2012 Shortlisted for stage 2 of John Moores Painting Prize
2012 Full page front cover of a-n magazine May issue
2009 The Parker Harris Prize, The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
2008 Winner, In Common, Corn Exchange and New Greenham Arts, Newbury