We recently connected with Brian Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Brian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I was once commissioned to create a sculpture that doubled as an urn. It was a gift for her daughter and would contain her grandmother’s ashes. I was honored to create something so personal, but felt the pressure to do a good job. In the end, it turned out to be exactly what they requested and was pleased. I was relieved. Full disclosure: stress, doubt, despair…..all part of my creative process.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Brian Smith, also known as Ctrl-Art-Dzn. I’m a mixed media/assemblage artist that uses E waste and discarded items to create sculpture and canvas pieces. I’m from Nashville, TN. Everything I use is repurposed. Canvas, frames, everything. The materials must be given up on in order for me to use them. I’m a life long creative, but have experimented with different creative outlets throughout my life. I began creating visual art as a form of therapy.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love the reactions, especially from children, when they recognize what the materials once were before being used in my pieces. It’s like seeing their imagination spark in real time. I see it in their expressions and know when it’s genuine . I realize my art isn’t for everyone and most art markets include me because I check the box for different. Which I am fine with, as I have always checked the box for different.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I have a music industry background, starting in my late teens. Being young and naive, I sought the approval, respect, and admiration of my peers. I learned quickly that it doesn’t matter what your peers think, only the listener. The audience. The same goes for the art industry. Creative people are my favorite kind of people. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet a few cool creatives on your journey. But I didn’t become an artist to follow rules. I create what I want with what I have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.briansmithgallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctrlartdzn/?igsh=aWt6aWkxZ3Ftc3N4#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554913423965&rdid=TCC7bVaJfSWplyel&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F14sAvzFbeW%2F#
Image Credits
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