Another of Project Onward’s artists that started at Gallery 37 is Michael Smith. Smith’s solo exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center, on view in March-April 2009, was titled “Michael Smith: Evolver” and traces the progression of his drawings from the quirky and colorful to the mysterious and sublime. Quintin Xavier Roper writes in the April 2009 edition of F Newsmagazine :
…As I looked at Smith’s work, however, not once did I consider his autism, and I felt ambivalent about how this trait played such an important part in the show. His drawings are beautiful. They demonstrate the skill of a mastermind and an exceptionally refined technique. What I saw at the Cultural Center was highly original and unlike anything I have seen displayed there before.
…Smith’s drawings of people despite their trippy-psychedelic appearance are real and elegant. Their high cheek bones and well groomed hair were curiously provocative. This exhibit came out of the mind of someone who understands culture, style and sophistication. He may not be able to articulate it with his words, but he can most vividly produce it in images. The amount of detail he inserts into the clothing and background is unique and clever …His perspective offers a refreshing approach to the method of communicating the ideas of a garment to the eye. I obviously do not expect to see his grapefruit colored poka-dot shorts or plum bow ties on the runway any time soon, but his concepts for them are charmingly communicated…
Some more of Michael Smith’s work can be viewed via the following links:Project Onward | Artists MichaelSmith, Project Onward | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
(source: Nobody Dances Here - The Curious Case of Michael Smith - Blubrry )