Jesse Leroy Smith
Artist in Residence and Tutor
2020
Born London 1966. Jesse Leroy Smith lives in Newlyn and Brighton. He studied Fine Art at Norwich School of Art and a Postgraduate Diploma in Painting at the Royal Academy Schools in London. He exhibits internationally in commercial and public galleries, art fairs, and travels widely for art residencies and research. A recent tour through Northern Europe showing collaborative films in alternative venues concluded in a group show at the Martin Asbaek Gallery In Copenhagen. In 2016 he was awarded with a major commission from Cornish Mining World Heritage Sites, to commemorate the mining legacy with a series of public performances and a suite of copper etchings. This highly acclaimed project then received funding from the Arts Council England for him to make ‘Assembly’, 20 portraits on copper plates.
He curates multimedia shows in dis-used and transitory spaces by gathering large groups of artists, performers, educators, experts, organisations and the public to collaborate and re imagine ‘Art shows’, these provocative spaces have become reinvented to become public venues such as cinemas or art centres. He helped launch the Arts centre CAST in Cornwall with the monumental ‘Darkrooms’ he curated and commemorated the 75th anniversary of an art deco lido with 90 artists showing artworks in 75 cubicles and the water with the event ‘ART 75’. Exhibitions such as ’Revolver’ in an ex-car-showroom and PRINT! in a Public gallery and many more all bear the hallmark of Smith’s belief in bringing students, graduates to show alongside established practitioners with international reputations.
He is exhibits with Jill George Gallery, London and Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh. He leads the Mentoring Programme for emerging artists at Newlyn School of Art and is a visiting lecturer at Falmouth University. This year he staged the solo show ‘Force Majeure’ at Tremenheere sculpture gallery and gardens in Cornwall and concluded it with ‘Sol Force’ for the summer solstice, a curated event with over 50 artist’s in aid of of ‘Freedom from Torture’. He continues to be mentored by curator, writer and critic Sacha Craddock.
His own work is influenced by his relentless collaborations, travels, teaching and public projects and so explores the balance between collective identities and individual expression.
Instagram @jesseleroy66
