Michael Smither

“I believe it’s best to let people have some room for interpretation of a work, especially ones that have a bowl and spoon as a symbolic quality.

There’s a strong element of Oliver Twist here.

The empty bowl seems to ally itself to hunger and need.

Maybe I’m giving away too much. Initially it was a visual moment of light and dark that moved me.

These weird ideas come from spending so much time alone in front of the easel.”

– Michael Smither

This limited edition screenprint is a reproduction of an original painting produced in 1974.

Image Size: 845 x 600 mm
Paper Size: 1000 x 700 mm
Limited edition of: 50

Michael Smither is a contemporary New Zealand artist renowned for his work as a painter and printmaker. His work often depicts everyday life, landscapes, and domestic scenes, characterised by strong compositions, clarity, and a distinctive use of colour.

Smither’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in observation, where his precise, sharp-edged style captures not just the appearance of his subjects but their inherent structure and atmosphere. His work is often concerned with the interplay between form, light, and space, lending his compositions a striking clarity and sense of balance. This analytical approach extends to both his paintings and prints, where simplified forms and carefully modulated colour create a heightened sense of reality.

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