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SF Weekly Arts & Entertainment
August 18 2004
Laurel Wellman
August 18 2004
Laurel Wellman
The three painters whose pieces appear in
"Favorite Things" have a lot in common. Most
obviously, their work here falls under the
heading of "still life." More specifically, all three
seem to say to the viewer, "You may think that
dazzling gems of visual perfection exist only in
Disney movies or in jewelry stores or when
you're on drugs. You're wrong, and I can prove
it." And they do.
As they engage the traditions of still life
painting, Gordon Smedt, Kazaan Viveiros, and
Tina Lauren Vietmeier also do what a lot of
contemporary artists do: They twist everything
around, mock what they appear to worship, and
broadcast their lack of respect for their elders.
Funny thing is, this trio manifest an unironic
adoration for their media and their subjects.
Smedt's thrift-shop shoes and clothes gain
drama as large-scale oils, emphasizing his
spectacular sense of color and detail. Viveiros
brings her draftsman's eye and subdivided,
planar washes of pigment to unromantic
hammers and wrenches. And Vietmeier's toilet
paper rolls somehow recall Cezanne's famous
haystacks -- is that funny or plaintive? See for
yourself through Sept. 25 at Steel Gallery, 3524
Sacramento (at Laurel), S.F. Admission is free;
call 885-1655 or visit www.steelgalleryinc.com.
"Favorite Things" have a lot in common. Most
obviously, their work here falls under the
heading of "still life." More specifically, all three
seem to say to the viewer, "You may think that
dazzling gems of visual perfection exist only in
Disney movies or in jewelry stores or when
you're on drugs. You're wrong, and I can prove
it." And they do.
As they engage the traditions of still life
painting, Gordon Smedt, Kazaan Viveiros, and
Tina Lauren Vietmeier also do what a lot of
contemporary artists do: They twist everything
around, mock what they appear to worship, and
broadcast their lack of respect for their elders.
Funny thing is, this trio manifest an unironic
adoration for their media and their subjects.
Smedt's thrift-shop shoes and clothes gain
drama as large-scale oils, emphasizing his
spectacular sense of color and detail. Viveiros
brings her draftsman's eye and subdivided,
planar washes of pigment to unromantic
hammers and wrenches. And Vietmeier's toilet
paper rolls somehow recall Cezanne's famous
haystacks -- is that funny or plaintive? See for
yourself through Sept. 25 at Steel Gallery, 3524
Sacramento (at Laurel), S.F. Admission is free;
call 885-1655 or visit www.steelgalleryinc.com.
ArtNews Magazine
December 2005
"Fine Things"
December 2005
"Fine Things"
The title of this charming show of realist
still lifes by three artists referred to the
pictorial treasures they create from banal
subjects.
Gordon Smedt paints large-scale canvases
showing familiar subjects that possess a
sense of intimacy, such as a pair of old
sneakers. In Marble Pyramid #1 (2005), the
artist manipulates light and color to capture
the translucence of dozens of toy marbles.
Smedt's delight in exuberant texture and
color is infectious.
still lifes by three artists referred to the
pictorial treasures they create from banal
subjects.
Gordon Smedt paints large-scale canvases
showing familiar subjects that possess a
sense of intimacy, such as a pair of old
sneakers. In Marble Pyramid #1 (2005), the
artist manipulates light and color to capture
the translucence of dozens of toy marbles.
Smedt's delight in exuberant texture and
color is infectious.
SFGate.com San Francisco Chronicle
Swells
Catherine Bigelow
August 8 2004
Big-arted: Everyday items (marbles, high-tops,
wrenches) morph into artful objets at "Favorite
Things,'' the latest show at Steel Gallery, where
author Danielle Steel held an opening fete
Saturday for the artists (such as Gordon
Smedt, Tina Lauren Vietmeier, Kazaan Viveiros
) and friends. Admired for his oil-rendered
raiments, Smedt's work doesn't last too long
on the wall. "His latest works weren't even
hung before three were claimed just like that, ''
said Steel. "But I'm like a mother with her
children -- I stood there smiling as each artist's
piece in this show went up on the wall.'' And
it's not just in her gallery that Steel keeps an
eye on the emerging artists she reps -- last
week, armed with a "Hearts in S.F." map, Steel
spent six hours touring the city, looking for the
decorated heart-works. "Five were created by
our artists. From Crissy Field to the Mission,
from Stonestown to Hunters Point -- it was my
entire Saturday and I had a ball!''
Swells
Catherine Bigelow
August 8 2004
Big-arted: Everyday items (marbles, high-tops,
wrenches) morph into artful objets at "Favorite
Things,'' the latest show at Steel Gallery, where
author Danielle Steel held an opening fete
Saturday for the artists (such as Gordon
Smedt, Tina Lauren Vietmeier, Kazaan Viveiros
) and friends. Admired for his oil-rendered
raiments, Smedt's work doesn't last too long
on the wall. "His latest works weren't even
hung before three were claimed just like that, ''
said Steel. "But I'm like a mother with her
children -- I stood there smiling as each artist's
piece in this show went up on the wall.'' And
it's not just in her gallery that Steel keeps an
eye on the emerging artists she reps -- last
week, armed with a "Hearts in S.F." map, Steel
spent six hours touring the city, looking for the
decorated heart-works. "Five were created by
our artists. From Crissy Field to the Mission,
from Stonestown to Hunters Point -- it was my
entire Saturday and I had a ball!''
Los Gatos Weekly Times
cover storey
All - American Celebration
Art Cat fundraiser & auction
september 10 2003
Mandy Major
cover storey
All - American Celebration
Art Cat fundraiser & auction
september 10 2003
Mandy Major
The Art Cat tables were the biggest
attention-grabber, displaying all of the
cats—except for the missing "Up Close
and Purrsonal" model—for examination
and bidding. Bids were finalized at 1:30 p.
m., with the "Fat Cat," designed by Gordon
Smedt, taking top place at $4,000. The
second highest bid was $3,500 placed for
John Pugh's "El Trojan Gatos."
attention-grabber, displaying all of the
cats—except for the missing "Up Close
and Purrsonal" model—for examination
and bidding. Bids were finalized at 1:30 p.
m., with the "Fat Cat," designed by Gordon
Smedt, taking top place at $4,000. The
second highest bid was $3,500 placed for
John Pugh's "El Trojan Gatos."
A few of the artworks from the silent auction that garnered the highest bids were moved to the
live auction. "Marbles Pyramid 07," by artist Gordon Smedt, was the highest grossing auction
artwork, and was purchased by donors Art Christopher and Noreen Christopher (event co-chair
and local artist). The Art Museum is looking to feature Smedt in a one-man-show late this spring
or early summer.
live auction. "Marbles Pyramid 07," by artist Gordon Smedt, was the highest grossing auction
artwork, and was purchased by donors Art Christopher and Noreen Christopher (event co-chair
and local artist). The Art Museum is looking to feature Smedt in a one-man-show late this spring
or early summer.
"Marble Pyramid 071" 35" x 40" oil on canvas
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New work will posted as it is completed. To be notified of new work or upcoming events, please us the
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contact/feedback page to be added to the e-mailing list.
"Sunflowers"
36" x 58" oil on canvas
"Sunflowers-Stars" was donated to the Loma Public Education Fund Gala event on
October 6, 2007 at Maison du Lac. The painting was auctioned and sold to the highest
bidder. "Sunflowers-Stars" raised $17,500 for the school.
36" x 58" oil on canvas
"Sunflowers-Stars" was donated to the Loma Public Education Fund Gala event on
October 6, 2007 at Maison du Lac. The painting was auctioned and sold to the highest
bidder. "Sunflowers-Stars" raised $17,500 for the school.
THE MUSEUMS of LOS GATOS
Gordon Smedt will be exhibiting at the Los Gatos Art Museum this Winter, December 6 2007
through February 23 2008. Reception Sunday December 9 2007 1 - 4 pm.
4 Tait Ave, Los Gatos CA 408 354 2636
Gordon Smedt will be exhibiting at the Los Gatos Art Museum this Winter, December 6 2007
through February 23 2008. Reception Sunday December 9 2007 1 - 4 pm.
4 Tait Ave, Los Gatos CA 408 354 2636
LONDON, England (CNN) -- When artist Gordon Smedt began planning his
Mediterranean-style home in California's Santa Cruz mountains, little did he expect that
his finished dwelling would consist, in the main part, of straw.
Mediterranean-style home in California's Santa Cruz mountains, little did he expect that
his finished dwelling would consist, in the main part, of straw.
Copyright © 2000-2007 Gordon Smedt. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
All images are provided for informational, educational and non-commercial purposes
only. Images may not be reproduced without the permission of the Artist.
All images are provided for informational, educational and non-commercial purposes
only. Images may not be reproduced without the permission of the Artist.
Museum School Tours
Master storyteller, Jerry Falek will lead children in experiencing the stories in the work of artist,
Gordon Smedt. Children will see the original artwork in a museum setting, experience the true
intention behind the paintings, and participate in interactivedramatics.
Master storyteller, Jerry Falek will lead children in experiencing the stories in the work of artist,
Gordon Smedt. Children will see the original artwork in a museum setting, experience the true
intention behind the paintings, and participate in interactivedramatics.
The fifth annual Touch My HeART Gala
http://www.touchmyheart.org/touchmyheart.org/touchmyheart.org.html
| MercuryNews.com |
Everyday life becomes extraordinary at Los Gatos exhibit:
A Night at the Tait Museum in Los Gatos
"and everyone had a last glimpse of one of the Tait's most successful exhibits: the large
scale object paintings of Gordon Smedt, who was on hand to answer questions".
http://losgatosobserver.com/los-gatos/Article.php?article_id=0752
"and everyone had a last glimpse of one of the Tait's most successful exhibits: the large
scale object paintings of Gordon Smedt, who was on hand to answer questions".
http://losgatosobserver.com/los-gatos/Article.php?article_id=0752
