Gordon Smith, The Byway, 2009

Gordon Smith
The Byway (AP), 2009
16 colour serigraph on Rives BFK 100% rag paper
Edition of 200 + 20 AP
image: 11.5” x 21.75”
paper: 19.75” x 30”
unframed

Please e-mail afkinfo@sd44.ca or call (604) 903-3798 if you are interested in acquiring this edition. 

Gordon Appelbe Smith (1919-2020) was born in England and moved to Winnipeg with his family in 1933. Smith came to Vancouver in 1940, married Marion Fleming, and joined the Canadian Army. Returning from service overseas in 1945, he continued his art education at the Vancouver School of Art, then taught at the school for a decade. In 1956, Smith joined the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia and taught visual art until his retirement in 1982.

From the 1990s onward, the last 30 years of his artistic career were his most prolific. As a master of colour, Smith explored the British Columbian landscape in a fresh and expressive style that remains unparalleled. He was deeply committed to both his practice and mentorship, and his dedication to art and education placed Smith as one of Canada’s most respected and generous artists. In 1989, Gordon Smith worked with Canadian artists and educators to cofound Artists for Kids and the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art. In recognition of his significant contributions to Canadian culture, Smith was awarded the Order of Canada in 1996.

As art historian Ian M. Thom observed, “Smith’s constant has been the challenge of making visual electricity in works that engage both the artist and viewer.” The Byway, represents Smith’s continued dialogue with place and connection, engaging a collective memory. Artists for Kids is honoured to release 20 Artist’s Proofs of this sold-out edition, which Gordon gifted to Artists for Kids in 2009.

Approximately ten percent of a publication is assigned as an Artist’s Proof (AP) and gifted to the artist. Artist's Proofs are typically kept by the artist for their personal collection or to sell directly. Although APs do not inherently hold more monetary value, some collectors covet them for their connection to the artist and their personal narrative.