Michael Smith | Sea of Change

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Michael Smith, “Laminate,” 2018

acrylic on canvas, 94” x 76” (courtesy of the gallery)

Opening Saturday, September 7^th   1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

TrépanierBaer is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibition of renowned Montreal-based painter Michael Smith, Sea of Change. 

Michael Smith's latest cycle of paintings was begun in 2018 after a month-long residency at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Smith was captivated by George Chambers 1837/38 chilling depiction of the British ship H.M.S Terror’s grounding on Arctic ice and the crew’s desperate attempt to save their supplies and themselves. These were the last days of the doomed Franklin expedition, and for Smith the Chamber’s painting was a perfect expression of the madness of colonialism and the blinding ambition of imperialism against a merciless natural word that, in whatever era, is impossible to conquer.

Fresh on the heels of the Beaverbrook exhibition, Sea of Change will be anchored by the extraordinary painting Laminate (Break in the Weather) and present a curated selection of Michael Smith’s newest works, each piece reflecting his ongoing exploration of texture, colour, and form.  A series of studies on paper and wood panel that inform his process and practice will support the exhibition.  

Michael Smith is celebrated for his masterful use of fluid and impasto techniques, creating surfaces that are both dynamic and textured. Smith's paintings are inspired by a broad spectrum of influences, from art history to significant historical and contemporary events. His energetic landscapes and seascapes are a testament to his ability to draw from diverse sources, blending them into visually compelling and thought-provoking compositions.

We warmly invite you to join us for the opening reception on September 7, 2024. This will be an excellent opportunity to view his work, meet the artist, and celebrate the dynamic interplay of representation and abstraction that defines his practice. 

Since 1978 Micheal Smith has presented work in seventy-three (73) solo and sixty-five (65) group exhibitions in Canada and Internationally. TrépanierBaer has represented Michael Smith for over 30 years.  Sea of Change will be is seventy fourth (74^th) or possibly his seventy -fifth (75^th) solo exhibition.

 Artist’s talk with Nancy Toulsley, September 7th at 1:30 p.m.