Curriculum Vitae

"My sculpture comes out of the various traditions of statue making.  When I observe people in social gatherings and private settings I continually see the past traditions of figurative sculpture assert themselves through the poses, attitudes, and physiques of my contemporaries.  With the past present all around me I investigate the ancient forms and methods of depicting the body and spirit along wtih the notions they were meant to communicate.  I am compelled to have a conversation with those ancient forms and my sculpture is the result of that dialogue.  While I sculpt the forms from direct observation of a live model, a gradual change occurs to the exterior form where it no longer relies on a mimetic process, but an inherent abstract formality, a past contained within the bones of the idea which begins to direct the composition and the asthetics. "

- Chris Smith