May 6 - June 10, 2023
From Ro2:
“Ro2 Art is thrilled to present Outside Inside, an exhibition of new work by Brad Ford Smith. The exhibition will open May 6 and remain on view through X, 2023, at Ro2 Art located at 2606 Bataan St., Dallas, TX.
Brad Ford Smith explores drawing and sculpture in two distinct, but complementary bodies of work in his exhibit Outside Inside. In one series, Smith works from life, depicting incredible, but often unacknowledged public sculptures around Dallas, TX. The act of drawing becomes a way of re-experiencing spaces and scenes which had become mundane and familiar to the artist over time, and utilizes neutral tones to focus on the sculptures’ forms. Alternatively, his mindscape series are products of his automatic drawing practice, which emphasize color as equally as forms, and drawing inspiration from music and audiobooks. Together, the two elements of Outside Inside work to capture both the private and public spheres in which sculpture exists.
About The Artist
BRAD FORD SMITH is a visual artist and art conservator living in Dallas, Texas. Brad’s parents were accomplished freelance artists who in the late 50’s, created an art studio in their home. Fueled by a seemingly endless supply of scrap paper, pencils, paint, X-Acto knives and Elmer’s glue Brad discovered an early love for experimentation. After earning his degree from The Kansas City Art Institute in painting and printmaking, Brad eventually found himself back in Dallas at his childhood home experimenting with drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture while also earning a living as a professional art conservator of historic objects.
As an artist, Brad has explored a variety of topics, from the influence of dyslexia on sight perception, to tongue and cheek pseudo-science exhibitions under the guise of the Nomadic Fungi Institute. His current focus is on drawing local spots of historic and cultural significance which have often morphed into urban detritus, such as parking lots or highway underpasses. These representational pen and ink en plein air drawings include the embedded stories and are executed in Brad’s singular and witty style.
Coinciding with all his creative endeavors is Brad’s long standing practice of automatic drawing. Rendered in ink and colored pencils these painterly drawings are a diary of sorts reflecting his state of mind and obsessions. These small works are free flowing and abstract. While they don’t begin with any particular focus, by the end they have happily morphed into oddly exquisite forms that embody otherworldly structures.”
Reception: May 6, 2023 | 7–10 pm
2606 Bataan Street
Dallas, 75212 Texas
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