Artist Statement

Serena Smith is an English artist based in Leicestershire. Working primarily with printmaking, the images she creates often develop through her skilled use of lithography – a print medium she learnt in her training at the Curwen Studio. In ongoing projects she pursues this interest; her work with digital photography and hand drawn stone lithography explores the visual syntax that evolves through the combined use of these technologies.

The images that emerge from this convergence, shaped as they are by serendipity and systematic limitations, knowingly play with the potential for lyrical ambiguity inherent within the structures of pictorial representation.

Alongside her work as a visual artist, Serena’s practice includes a range of educational, technical and collaborative projects in fine art lithography. In partnership with Leicester Print Workshop, she is technician and mentor for the Lithography Internship, a year long programme of bespoke training in fine art lithography, offered to a postgraduate artist-printmaker.

Education and Training

2008 PG.Dip. Art and Design in Education, Institute of Education, London; 2004 MA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins; 1985-97 Studio Assistant, Curwen Studio; 1983 BA Hons. Art/Drama, University of London.

Selected group exhibitions

2013 – Oriel Wrexham, Print International.Harley Gallery Open, Welbeck.
2012 – Derby City Open; prizewinner, Tarpey Gallery, Midlands Open. BIMPE V11, Vancouver CA, and touring. Bankside Gallery, London. RE Open. Mall Galleries, London, Bite: Artists Making Prints.Yarrow Gallery, Oundle and touring, Passion 2 Print. Tarpey Gallery, Midlands Print.
2011 – Tarpey Gallery, Midlands Open. Nottingham Castle Open; prizewinner. Mall Galleries, London, Bite:Artists Making Prints; prizewinner. New Walk Museum, Leicester and touring, Small Print; prizewinner.
2010 – Clare Hall, Cambridge, Surface. Embrace, Leicester and Kings’ Lynn Art Centre, Passion to Print.
2009 – LCB Depot Print Room, Leicester. City Gallery Leicester and touring, Passion to Print; prizewinner.
2008 – City Gallery, Leicester, Open 20. London Print Workshop, scissorspaperstone.
2006 – Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Northampton, Multiple Choice. North House Gallery, Manningtree, Winter Show. New Hall College, Cambridge, 125 Art Exhibition.
2005 – Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge. Residency exhibition. Bury St. Edmunds Art Gallery. Art Auction East.
2004 – Wingfield Arts, Suffolk. Land and Light. Space Studios, London.
2003 – Eastern Open, Kings Lynn.
2002 – Eastern Open, Kings Lynn. Corn Exchange, Cambridge. Norwich Fringe Festival.