10 QS WITH LYDIA SMITH, SCULPTURE SHOWCASING AT THE NFT GALLERY
December 2022
This month, between her Paris trip and preparing for multiple London shows, I caught up with the effervescent Lydia Smith, the down-to-earth sculptor combining digital art with calming, beautiful sculptures. We’re delighted to see Lydia’s work popping up around Mayfair, first at E P O K, and now at The NFT Gallery. We are so excited to see what she will do next and we look forward to supporting her with upcoming projects in 2023!
Leftovers by Lydia Smith
1.) Hi Lydia, welcome to The Mayfair Musings! How long have you been in the art world?
I previously worked in the film industry as a sculptor but I have been focusing on my own practice full time for just under a year and a half. It feels a lot longer and I'm grateful to be fully submerged in the London art world and its dynamic attitude.
2.) Tell us a little about your visual language!
I think in 3D, in my practice I'm incorporating digital sculpting technology alongside my traditional methods. I see a correlation between the digital world how I see objects floating and forming together in my mind.
Inside the Horizon by Lydia Smith
3.) When did you realise you wanted to fully focus on fine art?
A lot changed in my personal life during the pandemic, goals that had previously held weight and power over me began to fade away, relationships shifted to new dynamics, and I realised that during this chaos it was the best time to bet on myself.
4.) We grew up in the internet age. What made you consider venturing into the world of digital art and how does it differ from creating "traditional" art?
I started to see the emergence of digital scanning and printing technology within the film industry, and if I'm being honest, i was unimpressed, however I new it wouldn't long until the tech caught up.
I made the choice to start learning and experimenting, I listened to podcasts and spoke to friends who incorporated different forms of technology within their art practices. This eventually lead me to an experiment that has now informed and inspired my whole art practice. Traditional methods are still at the core of my practice, and i see technology as a tool of discovery.
5.) You've been very busy creating and exhibiting in the last year. What are some of your highlights of 2022?
I started 2022 with “An Effort”, an art residency based in London and Abu Dhabi. They supported me in the opening of my first solo show, “PAUSE”, which was a great success. This was the first time I had shown my new body of work.
I am working with the luxury fashion brand E P O K as their artist in residence. We have been busy hosting several in-store exhibitions, including collaborating with WAAW London (Women Artist Art Week London) and HUB Culture during Frieze week.
I have exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery, The Twenty 22, Space 14 Fitzrovia and have an exhibition in New York opening soon. Last, but most certainly not least, I taught an exclusive life drawing class at Christie’s, supporting Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity. In this session, I opened the minds of the attendees to look at the human anatomy in an abstract form. It was a truly inspiring evening and I'm looking forward to continuing our relationship.
6.) You are about to showcase some sculptures at The NFT Gallery on Mayfair's Dover Street! Can you tell us a little about these?
Yes, I will be showcasing two IRL (in real life) sculptures at The NFT Gallery. These two sculptures have a fascinating journey and are two of the original pieces from this new body of work. There will be other work on display also but we are keeping that under wraps for now!
Leftovers by Lydia Smith
7.) Do you have any plans for 2023?
Oh, I have big plans for 2023! Ones I can't yet reveal, but I'm very excited.
8.) Tell us some of your favourite artists...
Benjamin Spiers, Maitha Abdalla, Nick Hornby, Tony Cragg, Barbra Hepworth, Evie Mae Jacobs, LUAP, James Rogers, Jonathan Baldock, Isamu Noguchi, Hugo Lami, Grzegorz Gwiazda, Polly Morgan and many others.
9.) Your work is incredibly innovative. What inspires you?
Humanbeings. They have always fascinated me. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I identify with the observer, and I adopt the forever learner attitude, my subject matter is always changing, therefor I have an unlimited resource of information and inspiration.
10.) When you're not busy working, where can you be found and what might you be doing?
When I can be lured away from my art practice, my main focus is connecting with my friends. I'm so grateful to have incredible people in my life and I make an active effort to engadge and invest in those people. Its something i want to prioritise more as it rejuvinates me.
If you’d like a personal introduction to Lydia Smith, please victoria@mayfairartconsultancy.co.uk
