Brian Smith

Brian Smith (b.1994) is a Portland, ME based artist who works in sculpture, painting, and drawing. He is inspired by queer ecological theory, and what it offers in the context of climate change. 

Smith holds a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and an MFA from Maine College of Art & Design. His works have been exhibited across New England, and in group exhibitions in Antwerp, Austin, and Brooklyn. He’s been written about in publications including Boston Art Review, The Portland Press Herald, Maine Magazine, The Chart, Floorr, Divide, and Working Artists Magazine. 

Smith is a recent Fellow at the Lunder Institute for American Art, and has completed artist residencies at Monson Arts, and Hewnoaks Artist Residency, where he currently serves as Residency Manager. Notably, Smith is the recipient of the Innovative Artist Grant, Maine Project Grant via SPACE Gallery, Maine Arts Commission Springboard and subsequent Project Grant. 

Artist Statement 

I create sculptures, paintings, and drawings conceptualizing a future reality in which humans adapt and migrate (back) to the seas that land creatures evolved from, to survive the climate catastrophe and rising waters. With inspiration from queer ecological theory which challenges traditional views of nature as separate from human society, I explore forms of hybridization between creatures, as I look towards mythology and queerness for inspiration. 

My sculptures are oftentimes heavily surfaced with repetitive textures— beads, chains, or spikes—which nod towards the exuberant and campy elements of queerness while also mimicking surface qualities of ‘nature.’ My two-dimensional pieces provide narrative for the body of work, evoking mythology and artifacts; spanning the past, to a future reality. These works offer hints towards ho