Renay Smith is an artist with a studio in Sydney NSW. In recent years, her creative practice has encompassed still life that contemplates commonplace and collective memories from the recent past and Australian scenes that consider the near and far both physically and historically. Pattern, repetition and an environmental consciousness feature prominently in her work. A fascination with social history and suburban culture pervades her image making.
Linocut relief printmaking, with strong graphic elements of landscape and interesting and distinctive objects along with acrylic paintings on canvas, utilising mediums and palettes that give a crisp finish to her surfaces form the foundations of her art practice.
Her paintings and prints share a moment in time, prompting the viewer to ‘remember this’, vanishing objects become cultural artefacts. There’s an element of sentimentality to her work but she rejects the notion of the ‘good old days’. Her compositions feature details and elements that are easily overlooked, the curls of a wrought iron gate or 1960’s and 70’s ephemera.
Renay’s works have appeared in solo and group exhibitions across NSW. Her paintings and prints, exhibited works and commissioned pieces are with local and interstate collectors. Her influences include Fauvism, Pop Art and Surrealism and Japanese printmaking.
