Meet Mark T Smith | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark T Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark T, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The “why” question about pursuing a career in creativity is the easiest one for me to answer. As a child, I was obsessed with making images, I spent most of my time away from school creating artwork. After a severe health event in my teens, I made the decision to follow this calling into a world of creativity. Never once have I regretted that decision.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We are hosting a pop-up gallery exhibition at Milagro Galeria Calle 25 No. 177 por 36 y 38 col. Buenavista. This group of artwork is a collection of works ranging over a number of years, including two large works on canvas, several medium-format works on paper, two linoleum prints, and a selection of drawings from one of my older sketchbooks. These works were shipped from my stored works in my Miami and were brought to Mexico for this exhibition.

The works were selected by Curator Carolina Caceres Machuca from the works available in Miami, This will be the artist’s first exhibition in Mexico and the very first exhibition of the selected works from his sketchbooks. There is a special significance to the exhibition of preliminary works, many years ago, in the earliest stages of his carer, the artist did not keep all the drawings and preliminary works that lead to the creation of the large works on canvas. It was Carolina that saved those first drawings on visits to the studio that led the artist to consider these preliminary works in a different light, seeing them as works of art in their own right.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For Miami there are so many places but of course I would naturally visit any outdoor art & sculpture as well as museums which offer fascinating collections, interior space design and exceptional exterior architecture such as Perez Art Museum, Margulies Collection, and of course the Wynwood Walls. You can’t miss Miami Design District for designer shops, art, chic restaurants/culinary halls and outdoor entertainment. Faena Hotel is a must see for their chic lobby decor and speakeasy bar scene. My favorite staple go to is Prima Pasta for their quaint wood interiors and delicious pasta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been extremely fortunate over the course of my career, meeting people that would champion my work, mentor me in business or creativity, push me back on my true path, partner with me on projects/businesses and support my work in countless ways. For this article, I want to shout out to someone who has always been “in my corner”, and for quite a long time – Carolina Caceres Machuca. Although we have known each other, this is our first collaboration.

Website: https://www.marktsmith.com/2022/11/milagro-galeria-merida-mexico/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marktsmithart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smith-mark-t/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDuCYevUCt3MD3OAT8W1Ww