men of color series
DESCRIPTION
Harold Smith is one of the most uniquely recognizable voices in 21st century black expressionism painting. His work has been collected on an international level for the last 10 years and is a favorite among academic collectors. Harold has shown in public and private galleries in the Midwest and on both coasts and his imagery has been used by Whitworth College for its jazz concert series. Harold was born and raised in the Kansas City area. He has lived in Kansas, Nebraska, Alabama and Bermuda. He has received Associates, Bachelors, and Master’s degrees in Computer Technology and Education. Harold has been an educator for over 23 years, working primarily with urban students in the areas of business, computer technology, and art.TRANSCRIPT
Harold SmithHarold SmithThe Men of Color Series
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Art is a sacred thing. Long after we have made transition, the works of artists speak to those still on the journey. Their language transcends words and emotions itself.
It’s the echoes of Olatunji’s drums reverberating throughIt s the echoes of Olatunji s drums, reverberating through time.
Art speaks.
Will we listen?
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e s e
ContextContext
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I grew up in an extended family with a strong male presence.
That was a long time ago.
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Every summer we had a family picnic at Gage Park in Topeka.
Family members from Kentucky to Los Angeles would be there.
As the older members passed on, so did the picnic.
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100 years from now…
When they talk about the end of the black family….end of the black family….
What will they say?
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After Pearl Harbor was bombed, my father and his brothers (Leroy, Bernard, Johnny) volunteered to serve in a
d d fsegregated armed forces.
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ArtworkArtwork
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CrownCrown24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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BishopBishop24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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New SuitNew Suit24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Roman CollarRoman Collar24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil Paper
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A Blues for JackieA Blues for Jackie24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Ruby RhythmRuby Rhythm24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil Paper
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City BassCity Bass24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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ContemplationContemplation30” x 15”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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DuoDuo30” x 15”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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Duo II30” x 15”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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Introspection30” x 15”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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Profile and ForwardProfile and Forward30” x 15”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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Profile and Forward II30” x 15”Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
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Man of Color I24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Man of Color II24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Man of Color IIIMan of Color III24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Man of Color IVMan of Color IV24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Man of Color V24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Jazz T alk: Miles24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Duke: The World Is Listening24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Integration24” x 18”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Morning Coffee18” x 24”Acrylic and Oil on Paper
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Biography
Harold Smith is one of the most uniquely recognizable voices in 21st centuryHarold Smith is one of the most uniquely recognizable voices in 21 century black expressionism painting. His work has been collected on an international level for the last 10 years and is a favorite among academic collectors.
Harold has shown in public and private galleries in the Midwest and on both coasts and his imagery has been used by Whitworth College for its jazz concert series.
Harold was born and raised in the Kansas City area. He has lived in Kansas, Nebraska, Alabama and Bermuda. He has received Associates, Bachelors, and Master’s degrees in Computer Technology and Education.
Harold has been an educator for over 23 years, working primarily with urban students in the areas of business, computer technology, and art., p gy,
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Statement
Thoughts and impressions of this journey cross my mindscape like the fadingThoughts and impressions of this journey cross my mindscape like the fading golden haze of a cool fall dusk. I attempt to grasp these, with brush and canvas and somehow capture just a little bit of their essence and place it on the canvas or paper.
In that regard I humbly see artisans as the recorders of historyIn that regard, I humbly see artisans as the recorders of history.
Artists walk in the tradition of those servants who carved hieroglyphs into the Egyptian limestone; artists speak in the tradition of those courageous slaves who gathered under threat of tortuous death, to pass on the stories and legends of a motherland so far awaymotherland so far away
Black art is black expressionism. It is somehow cataclysmic yet euphoric, an apex of joy and pain, triumph and defeat, steely fatalism and foolish optimism in the face of that most grim.
Art is a sacred thing. Long after we have made transition, the works of artists speak to those still on the journey. Their language transcends words and emotions itself. It’s the echoes of Olatunji’s drums, reverberating through time.
Art speaksArt speaks.
Will we listen?
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Selected Exhibitions
2000
• Kansas City Kansas Public Library
2001
• Kansas City Kansas Public Library
• Corridor Art Space
• San Francisco Public Library
2002
• Kansas City Kansas Public Library
2006
• Montanaro Gallery
• MYART Gallery
• Nobis Gallery
2007
• Paseo Gallery
• Montanaro Gallery
2008
M t G ll• Montanaro Gallery
• TownHouse Gallery
• Faso Gallery
2009
• Montanaro Gallery
• Faso GalleryFaso Gallery
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