Richard Smith, CBE (1931-2016) was an English painter and printmaker. Smith produced artwork in a range of styles but was particularly renowned for his role in the development of the British Pop Art movement. His work was especially remarkable as he would treat a canvas more like a 3 dimensional object, creating more of a sculpture that would protrude into the space of the gallery. Smith’s unique and unrestrictive concept of space combined with his vibrant and abstract imagery allowed him to stand out as an excellent artist in a time with so many other extremely talented contemporaries. 

Born in Hertfordshire in 1931, Richard Smith would go on to study at the Royal College of Art alongside artists such as Peter Blake and Robyn Denny. In 1959, Smith was awarded with the Harkness Fellowship which allowed him to move to New York where he had his first solo show at the Green Gallery. Smith’s works are held in public collections including The British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate, The Victoria and Albert Museum and many more.