The project, which manifests in various configurations with a different number of paintings in each install based on the presenting wall, demonstrates Smith’s intense and earnest curiosity to expand the ways we understand the medium of painting and abstraction. Another sweet anecdote: all the artists were present in the booth on preview day, eager to answer questions, further emphasizing the overall concept behind the booth.
There is a lot to be excited about at this year’s edition of Independent at Spring Studios. A consistently exceptional fair with a distinctive vibe, the mix of galleries presenting and artists included provides a truly enjoyable viewing experience.
This year, Independent celebrates its 15th anniversary, which makes for a particularly jovial and energetic preview day: busy, but with enough space to actually spend time looking at art, which we sometimes forget about in an art fair context.
We picked a few of our favorite booths at Independent that give a sense of the variety of offerings at the fair: from stand-out solo presentations to thoughtfully organized group shows, there is much to be discovered.
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One of the more fun booths at the fair is Jane Lombard Gallery, which is showing a group presentation of new and recent works by Howard Smith and the artist duo Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens. Smith’s paintings are shown alongside works on paper and ceramic sculptures by Ibghy and Lemmens, and are tied together through each artist’s aptitude for encouraging experimentation and collaboration. Particularly striking is Smith’s work, Universe #31 (1991 – present), consisting of countless tiny paintings hung salon-style.
