Bolder and onward
by GINA A SMITh
An exhibition of paintings exploring a childhood in Bristol suburbia through memory and feelings.
12th - 26th February 2022 at Ort Gallery
Ort Gallery is pleased to present Gina A Smith's first Solo Show. The paintings of Gina A Smith explore themes of childhood, upbringing and milieu. At the core of the work is an immutable spirit of play and experimentation that turns away from the burden of realism towards the honesty of memory, focusing on the feeling of a moment rather than fixating on the details lost to time.
“This project continues my interest in exploring my past as a black, disabled child/young women in Bristol suburbia and brings me forward to now as an artist coping with a Birmingham based studio coming out of a pandemic. My work will reveal the hidden struggles to make others more aware and hopeful.” Gina A Smith
This exhibition is curated by Ashokumar Mistry. The project has been funded by Arts Council England.
About the Artist
This project continues my interest in exploring my past as a black, disabled child/young woman in Bristol suburbia and brings me forward to now as an artist coping with a Birmingham based studio coming out of a Covid pandemic. I have been mentored by; Bristol based Dr Shawn Naphtali Sobers whose work explores 'Hidden Identities', artist Ashokkumar Mistry relating to 'Hidden Disability' and Lennie Varvarides founder of DYSPLA about narratives in my work. Josephine Reichert ORT gallery has helped me to explore ways to share my work to a larger audience. My work will reveal my hidden struggles to make others aware & hopeful.
Find Gina A Smith's work on social media @ginaasmithart
About Ort Gallery
Ort Gallery is an artist-led exhibition space in Balsall Heath, Birmingham. We are on a social mission to challenge the traditional role of visual art spaces in Birmingham. We believe everyone should have access to high quality art experiences and aim to provide that standard. We contribute to making Birmingham more inclusive by actively rejecting the exclusivity often found in the visual arts sector.
We celebrate the differences of all of our visitors, artists and staff for they are a part of our Ort community and inform our work. We are focused on investing in and engaging with community members of the Balsall Heath area that are often overlooked. We use our space to provide our community with art focused events, activities and volunteering opportunities. We believe that art holds transformative power for mental wellbeing, bridging community gaps and increasing employability. We believe that you are never too young, too old or too different to learn a new skill or engage with art.
