Howard Smith Exhibitions and Events

Howard Smith (b. 1943, Chicago, IL) is a pioneering abstract artist whose work has spanned over five decades, continually pushing the boundaries of painting.

As a key figure in the Radical Painting movement of the 1980s, Smith focuses on the essence of painting itself—exploring process, material, and space. His distinctive approach centres on the brushstroke, transforming it from a simple mark to a powerful tool of expression and structure.

Starting his artistic journey in the 1960s, Smith trained in both traditional techniques and modernist abstraction, refining his craft at institutions like the University of Colorado, Stanford, and the School of Visual Arts. His engagement with Radical Painting in the 1980s deepened his commitment to abstraction, emphasizing the act of creation over imagery.
Smith’s work is a dynamic conversation between brushstrokes, colour, texture, and space. He sees each stroke as an essential element that contributes to a continual process, allowing the painting to evolve organically. His artworks are never fixed—they breathe, pulsate, and invite viewers into a space of transformation.

This balance of fullness and emptiness creates a tension that enhances the emotional impact of his pieces, inviting deeper engagement from the viewer.
Over the years, Smith’s works have been exhibited in renowned institutions like the Museum Line in Switzerland, the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders in Germany, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in France.
Through his dedication to process and materiality, Howard Smith’s art invites discovery, urging viewers to feel the rhythm and energy of each piece. His watercolours offer a space for reflection, experience, and connection—proving that the act of creativity is as vital as the final artwork itself.

Solo shows

2022, Marks in Time, Jane Lombard Gallery

2018, Howard Smith: 1 + 1 + 1 ... paintings and works on paper, Jane Lombard Gallery

Group shows

2025, 30x30, Jane Lombard Gallery

2023, The Color of Love, Aaron Galleries

2021, Drawn Together, Jane Lombard Gallery

2020, Works on Paper, Jane Lombard Gallery