Master Artist - Harry Smith :: Pioneer of Film Art

Many people are unaware of the origins of today's designs and art concepts. Most of what you see weaved into our current cultures aesthetics are designs and styles created by masters much before our time.

Harry Smith is one of those masters. He bent rules that didn't exist yet. His visionary execution revealed political and esoteric messages that could only be interpreted spontaneously and "of-the-moment"

I first came across Harry long ago through a youtube interview which I will link below. In the interview, an elderly Harry Smith is speaking through grainy footage, complete nonsense to the logical mind, but something about the flavor of his thought..

It left me wondering if this man was on another level, one which pervaded rational thinking, while also understanding the nature of what IS.

Fantasies aside, I searched through his work, and was speechless. Let's explore his mind, shall we?

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Paintings

Beginning with some flat works of his, complex emotions can be felt

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untitled circa 1978

Patterns were his thing, but he clearly enjoyed pallets that called upon nostalgic environments, like fire, ocean and coral.

"Harry Smith was born May 29, 1923, in Portland, Oregon, and his early childhood was spent in the Pacific Northwest. Smith's father, Robert James Smith, was a watchman for the local salmon canning company."

But to me, the most intense work of Harry's is his film art. If you haven't seen this film, you are in for a wonderful surprise.
This is in 1946 ladies and gentlemen and unicorns. 1946..

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Film

If that doesn't remind you of at least some of the imagery we get today through modern artists.. you're not paying attention!

He also loved the meaning of objects, and created stories through simple playful characters

This one is quite long but it's actually a commentary on the social environment/political regime of the time. Before he lost his marbles, he paid close attention to the flaws of society, and featured them in his subtle ways.

He studied anthropology, so there's a tinge of humanist thinking, a fervent empathy that's tangible. He inspires artists for centuries to come :)

Here's the interview I mentioned, it's hilarious! On point!

Here's some more of his work, stunning symmetry!

zodiac drawing

This is where I start to wonder if they are gods.. This original is LOST!

tree of life

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Thanks for joining me to appreciate the gateways to infinity that this man offered the world. Magic!

Much love,
-claritypavilion