An Artist's Evolution: Shinique Smith in Conversation with Cara Ober

Join us for a conversation between creatives about Shinique Smith’s practice, and how growing up in Baltimore influenced her path as an artist. Shinique Smith is known for her monumental works of bundled fabric, calligraphy and collage inspired by the vast nature of ‘things’ that we consume and discard, which resonate on a spiritual and social scale. Her work demonstrates how connections can be made between materials in ways that challenge us to think differently about the life of our belongings. Based in Los Angeles, born and raised in Baltimore, Shinique Smith is an artist known for her monumental paintings and sculptures of  fabric, clothing, and calligraphy inspired by the wonder found within the vast nature of “things” we call belongings. Recent solo exhibitions include the California African American Museum, Museum of Fine Art, Boston; and an upcoming presentation with UBS Art Collection in Miami Art Basel and the UBS Art Gallery, NY. Her work is currently on view in Generations: A History of Black Abstraction at The Baltimore Museum of Art where Shinique will be presenting a new performance January 11th 2020. Cara Ober writes about Baltimore's unique cultural landscape from the perspective of an artist, feminist, and culture worker. She approaches the art community from a constructive and critical perspective informed by material and pop culture, history, social movements, and politics. As the founding editor of BmoreArt, Baltimore's daily online art magazine and biannual print journal, Ober has written critical reviews, essays, interviews, and opinion editorials for the past decade about contemporary art, museum culture, and the innovative ways artists sustain a professional creative practice. Ober has taught and lectured at MICA, Johns Hopkins University, American University, UMBC, Towson University, and Goucher College. She holds an MFA in painting from MICA and a degree in fine arts from American University. BmoreArt is Baltimore's art and culture magazine, based both in print and online. We are a community-based, independent art publication that reflects the culture of Baltimore and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. We provide creative and critical coverage of Baltimore’s cultural landscape and work with a diverse team of local writers, editors, and artists. In addition to our online and print publications, we engage through social media and a events, including biannual magazine launch events and speaker series.Re-opening activities are made possible in part by a generous gift from Sandra R. Berman.This program is part of ongoing 2020 Women's Vote Centennial Initiative conversations at the Pratt Library.