| Chris Smith aka “subtexture” is a Brooklyn-based
pop-media designer who
specializes in developing visual solutions for clients in the fashion,
entertainment, and lifestyle industries. He is also an accomplished illustrator
and visual artist who utilizes a wide range of media in his work—including:
collage, painting, letterpress printing, and digital imaging.
His latest work entitled "Road Work Ahead" is an ongoing appropriated
art series that explores the tension between written and non-verbal communication,
utility and fashion. Smith uses discarded road signs as his initial canvas.
He then carefully overlays stylized outlines of fashion-forward female
figures. Strategically stripping away the paint below to reveal plywood
patterns in the wood below or collaging elements on top. The canvas may
become skin or clothing…effectively merging and blurring the distinction
between object and subject.
Through his Road Work Ahead series, Smith explores communication, interpretation
and misinterpretation through a functional every day object – the
road sign. A road sign may clearly spell out “Do Not Enter”
or “Road Closed” yet is populated with women, brazenly, openly
and often playfully disobeying the sign’s instructions. What was
once clearly didactic is now meaningfully obscured. Through this series,
Smith explores and shines a light upon what most men discover as adolescents:
attempting to read ‘signs’ that women give is confounding
at best. No means no. But, a glance over the shoulder? Come hither? Stay
away? It’s unclear, yet clearly relatable to the male populace.
Road Work Ahead with its bright orange backgrounds and simple black and
white
contrasts is immensely enjoyable at first glance, and upon closer contemplation
slyly considers the intersection of authority and free will.
For inquiries, please contact Chris Smith at 917-701-6478 or chris@subtexture.com
His slotcar racing
events have been talked about on the WGSN, the trend-casting Web site;
his shirts have been sold at Alife, Zakka, Akme, and M_space; and his
graphics have been used by Sportswear International, Dollhouse, The Source,
ROIR, Knitting Factory and numerous unknown bands.
He's currently working
on a series of hot-rod themed objects, including limited-edition blueprints,
paintings, letterpress prints and T-shirts.
Click here
to download a pdf containing information about past events and client
projects.
Click here
to download resume and samples (1mb)
contact: info
at subtexture.com
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