Towards Understanding: The Art of Graham Smith

Published on 28 March 2025

Mudgee Arts Precinct presents Towards Understanding: The Art of Graham Smith, a major retrospective exhibition by the Ilford-based artist.

The exhibition will take visitors on a chronological journey through the Graham Smith's five decade-long exploration of abstract painting. Graham has lived in the Central West of NSW for over 30 years and many paintings are inspired by the landscape of the region, from abstract representations of local gardens to panoramic interpretations of landmarks such as The Drip.

With his interpretive style and bold use of colour and form, Graham Smith is known for his work in cubism, modernism and constructivism. Towards Understanding will highlight how the artist’s style and techniques have developed over his career.

Graham has been producing art since the 1950s and 60s when he studied painting at Wellington Polytechnic College in New Zealand and attended Kunstschule Destrad in Linz, Austria.

He has exhibited in commercial galleries in Sydney and Melbourne, while his work has been purchased by the Australian Art Bank and Westpac Banking Corporation, as well as private collectors in Australia and overseas.

In the mid – late 1980s Graham established and ran a successful fashion design and manufacturing business, retailing clothing in Australia and New Zealand. He returned to painting full-time in the 1990s and began working with clay to create ceramic sculptures.

Graham has taught drawing, painting and design at various institutions since 1964, including the University of Technology in Sydney. He has taught private painting and drawing classes in Mudgee for over 10 years and now paints and works with clay in his Mudgee and Ilford studios.

Towards Understanding: The Art of Graham Smith opens on Friday 28 March at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Mudgee Arts Precinct is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Entry is free.