Inspiration can come from many places, but often holds something of our view of the world, or our view of ourselves within it.
I am currently interested in the hidden tales and experiences of marginalised people. I am also intrigued by broken language, fractured statements, what they do and do not say. I am drawn to memories, materials and questions of identity, using words as a starting point.
Words feature heavily in my practice and have done for the past twelve years. I often begin my artistic exploration with a poem I have written. Poetry with all its weaves, twists of language and slightly hidden meanings, forces us to focus our minds, to push ourselves to understand deeper. I am expanding my practice to gather stories, my own and others for inspiration for large timely sculptures.
To work in this poems and stories is also a personal journey, thinking conceptually, visually playing close attention to themes and ideas expressed. I am passionate that unique and stigmatised voices are allowed to speak, and therefore be heard. A denial of these stories leads to “Silence through shame”. The silencing and discrimination of people with a mental health issue, is a Civil Rights Issue, it is a Human Rights Issue.
I am an artist and community artist with lived experience of mental illness and I believe in change.
Maddie Smith artist 