Bio
Cyrus Smith, originally hailing from Winnipeg, is an artist now living and working in Berlin.
After graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors, Smith has been actively participating in numerous group shows at institutions including: Gallery 1.1.1., Plug In ICA, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. His work has been published in Border Crossings Magazine, Toro Magazine, The National Post, and shown on CBC ‘Artspots’. Smith has been written about in The Globe and Mail and Maclean’s Magazine.
In the studio Smith is producing work at a hyper velocity in a range of media, with his attention focused on painting and installation. He generally works in a large scale, and with subject matter referencing art history, the socio-political sphere, Graffiti, advertising, digital networking, and Pop Culture.
Aesthetically, Smith’s art has been described as “…sitting in a conversation between a Post-Formalism and Dumpster Pop…” and “...channeling the spirits of Kurt Schwitters and Robert Rauschenburg.”
His work is past of private and public collections including The Canada Council for the Arts and The Province of Manitoba.
Education
August 2009 Summer School, Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, MB
1999 – 2004 Bachelor of Fine Arts – Honors, University of Manitoba
Selected Exhibitions
April. 2014 Solo Exhibition: 3 for 200 but the big ones are 5-, Gurevich Fine Art @ McNally Robinson, Winnipeg, MB
Feb. 2013 Solo Exhibition: SUPERMEGAFUNAWESOMEPARTYTIME, idrawalot Gallery, Berlin, DE
July 2011 Solo Exhibition: ur not cool, Gurevich Fine Art, Winnipeg MB
Dec. 2009 Solo Exhibition: Write Handed, Golden City Fine Art, Winnipeg, MB
Sept 2009 Performance: Found, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MB
Jan. 2009 Group Exhibition: Revolver Downtown One, Gallery 1.1.1. University of Manitoba
Oct. 2007 Group Exhibition: East Meets West, Gallery Connexion, Fredericton, NB
Mar. 2007 Group Exhibition: Here’s Hoping You’re Swell, Paul Petro Smallworks Gallery, Toronto, ON
Feb. 2006 Group Exhibition: 26 or Two Six or Too Sicks, Gallery 1.1.1. University of Manitoba
Spring 2006 Group Exhibition: Supernovas. Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
May 2004 Public Installation: Baggie Billboard, Plug In ICA Billboard, Winnipeg, MB
Nov. 2003 Group Exhibition: A La Planche, The Annex Unplugged, Winnipeg, MB
Spring 2003 Group Exhibition: Young Winnipeg Artists. Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, MB
Winter 2002 Group Exhibition: Back In The Day, Plug In ICA Annex, Winnipeg, MB
Collections
The Province of Manitoba
The Canada Council Art Bank
Awards
2008
Manitoba Arts Council Creation / Production B Grant
Winnipeg Arts Council / Individual Artist B Grant
2007
Winnipeg Arts Council / Individual Artist B Grant
Manitoba Arts Council Creation / Production B Grant
Manitoba Arts Council Travel / Professional Development Grant
2003
Lydia Friesen Memorial Bursary, University of Manitoba
Molly Hyman Award, University of Manitoba
2001
TD Bank Financial Group Bursary, University of Manitoba
Janet Ian Cameron Memorial Bursary in Fine Arts, University of Manitoba
2000
Robert Bruce Memorial Bursary, University of Manitoba
Jack Hart Memorial Scholarship, University of Manitoba
Reviews and Writings
Gilmore, Alison Dive into local artist’s ‘Dumpster Pop’ works, Winnipeg Free Press, Thursday, December 17, 2009, Page D3
O’Hara, Erin Roughing it on the fifth floor, Geez Magazine, Spring 2006, Issue 2, Pages 74-5
Walker, Morley Supernovas, The Tab – Winnipeg Free Press, Thursday, January 26, 2006, Page 5
Eyland, Cliff 26/Two Sicks/Too Six…, Border Crossings Magazine, 2004, Issue 92, Pages 16-27
Dault, Julia At The Galleries, National Post, Thursday, May 6, 2004, Page B6
Enright, Robert Party Bike Nail Bombing…, The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, November 12, 2003, Page R3
August, Ian Marathon of Tape, Tart Magazine, 2003, Issue 13, Page 20
Selected Experience
Nov. 2010 Presentation, My City’s Still Breathing Symposium, Winnipeg, MB
April 2009 Set Design, Crossing Communities Art Project, Winnipeg, MB
July 2008 MuralFest 2K8, Graffiti Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
Sept. 2007 Catalogue Essay - Scratching the Surface, Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, MB
June 2007 Street Art Workshop, Art City, Winnipeg, MB
July 2006-11 Prefab Installation, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Birds Hill Park, MB