With an unexpected glimpse of his own mortality as his primer and questions of identity as his overlay, 25-year-old Alexander D.C.D. Smith’s distinctive paintings are powerful, compelling and thought-provoking.
“From the age of five I was drawing,” said Smith, a Culver City resident. “I have a learning disability, so drawing and sports have been how I’ve expressed myself. I’ve always thought outside of the box and pushed the boundaries on everything, even today.”
Smith’s unique world view started early. As far back as kindergarten he stood out, preferring to wear one red high-top Converse, with a black high-top Converse on the other foot. Schoolwork did not hold his interest, except for art class, where he found an outlet for his energy and creativity.
“I went to a specialized high school in the (San Fernando) Valley geared to kids with learning disabilities,” Smith said. “With ADD (attention-deficit disorder) there’s the issue of focusing, but when it comes to creativity I don’t believe in being stuck in one medium. Why do I need to focus on one thing when I can do so many things? Why limit myself? Life is too short. I’ll do an art piece with a spray can or airbrush. I’ve also done motorcycle helmets, motorcycles, laptops, wall murals, clothing, shoes, furniture and skateboards. As long as paint will stick to it, I’ll paint it.”
After high school Smith originally attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he struggled to fit in, in part due to his multiracial background (his mom is white and Jewish, and his dad is black). He decided to come back home and attend Santa Monica College, where he received a jolt that would send him in fervent pursuit of his artistic passions.
“I left Las Vegas and went to Santa Monica College. At 20 I was in a car accident. That’s when I found out I had cancer of the spine with a tumor that was bigger than a grapefruit, causing me to take a year off,” Smith said. “I decided to follow graphic design and ‘art’ because I was told by everyone that I have a God-given talent in art. It was when I realized it for myself and knew for sure that this is what I am supposed to do that I went for it, and I’ve become more comfortable with being called an artist.”
Smith transferred to Cal State Northridge, obtaining a BA degree in graphic design with an emphasis in photography. A class called “Diversity in America” strongly resonated with him.
“We didn’t learn from textbooks. There were some amazing personal stories of a variety of experiences, and it was very meaningful,” Smith said.
For sources of creative inspiration he cited the Internet and YouTube as well as street artists Retna, Bansky and Shepard Fairey. Logo designs, race graphic designs for motorcycles and cars, tattoo art and graffiti have been an influence.
“I never did illegal graffiti but graffiti always captivated me, especially now,” Smith said. “And (painter) Jackson Pollock, before I even knew who he was, I’d lay canvas on the ground and throw paint on it. Asian art, sculpture and architecture have had a strong effect on me. I remember seeing one temple with incredible detail, and I’m inspired by anything with a deep meaning and culture behind it, like tradition and strong family values.”
Smith spoke of a neighbor in his condo complex, Josh Rone, who died of cancer two years ago.
“He was like a big brother. We both found out about our cancers a week apart,” Smith said. “He was an influence in clothes, shoes and in basketball. He really impacted those areas which lead me into design.”
“My life is art and motor sports,” he continued. “I’m a huge fan of MotoGP and Formula One. I’ve always liked motorcycles. Being on a motorcycle, you’re just the crazy guy on a bike, no race, no one sees you as a color. It’s like a meditation. You are in the moment, not thinking about anything else.”
Being multiracial has shaped his work, which explores the tension between opposites.
“I play a lot with flat and gloss, with contrast in colors and in the finish of the paint,” Smith explained. “I like the subtlety of looking at something and not seeing it immediately. But you turn your head and it pops out. And ‘ghosting,’ which is when you walk away and the image emerges.”
His personal artistic language includes “pin striping, where I apply and drip paint. I can control my drips, but I believe in allowing mistakes to happen.” His work is highly labor-intensive, as he paints on wood panels that he makes by hand and creates stencils of his drawings for application onto the panels, resulting in finished work that is an intricately layered composite of images.
With his first solo show poised to open this month, Smith is currently working on The Melting Pot. At four feet by eight feet it will be the largest piece on exhibit, depicting the American flag overlaid by several iconic images.
The show, which will run through May 15, will be presented by Insight on the Westside at 12805 Venice Blvd. in Los Angeles, with the opening reception from 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 24.
For more information Smith can be reached at (310) 422-0441 or alexander@alexandersconcepts.com. His Web site, alexandersconcepts.com, is expected to be up and running this month.
Asked about his goals as an artist, Smith displayed his paintings to the News, pointing out that “certain pieces are very personal, capturing friends and family in the moment. Some other pieces, like the flag painting, have a deeper meaning because yes, this is a melting pot, but the Native Americans were here first. There is symbolism in how the paint is applied and the colors used, to make people think and get a message across.”
It seems fair to say that those questions of identity that dogged his childhood and adolescence have been answered. What is he? That’s obvious.
Alexander D.C.D. Smith — remember that name — is an intriguing, innovative and multifaceted artist.
