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St-Georges & Rivoli

Josh Smith Finding Emo

Josh Smith Finding Emo
Selected works Installation views

Xavier Hufkens is delighted to present American artist Josh Smith’s second exhibition with the gallery. The artist will present new paintings and monotypes depicting the Grim Reaper. These will be shown for the first time in Belgium in an impressive installation spanning both spaces.

From the fish that he exhibited in his inaugural exhibition at the gallery in 2016, to skeletons, turtles, palm trees and his own name, Josh Smith is known for painting sequences of simple yet highly distinctive visual motifs. The Grim Reaper is one such device: an instantly recognisable form that, by virtue of its straightforwardness, is easy to replicate. Just as the Impressionists made multiple paintings of the same scene to capture different atmospheric effects, Smith will repeatedly paint a subject from memory as a way of exploring different painterly qualities. In this sense, the Grim Reaper functions as a compositional device that unlocks an enormous range of creative possibilities. It could be said that the true subject of these paintings, therefore, is the expressive potential of paint, colour and repetition, rather than the actual personification of death. At the same time, Smith also plays with ideas of similarity and difference: like variations on a theme, each Reaper is a new iteration of the same basic idea. Part of an on-going process of image production and experimentation, the paintings are autonomous entities but, equally, also part of a larger ‘family’ of interrelated works.

By exhibiting these canvases and monotypes in close proximity and across both gallery spaces, the viewer is automatically prompted to examine differences in terms of colour or detail. Smith’s palette ranges from soft and luminous hues to almost neon-bright shades, but also strays into a spectrum of richer and earthier tones. The playful way in which these are combined, coupled with Smith’s virtuoso painting style, is endlessly fascinating: there are the uncomplicated Reapers and those which dissolve into a semi-abstract tangle of lines, dark figures and coruscating ones, Reapers that beckon and those that point. A wealth of tiny details, such as birds and plants, or powerful symbols like the moon and sun, all help to further individualise the paintings. The effect is augmented by unique borders, some of which are painted while others are stencilled. These patterns allude to early American decorative wall stencils, as well as to the serrated and perforated edges of postage stamps, both of which point to the idea of an enclosed space. The evocative titles assigned to the paintings echo the artist’s thoughts about what the individual works might convey, while also encouraging the viewer to think beyond the image.

For thousands of years, death has assumed a human or skeletal form in various cultures. The Grim Reaper — a dark, hooded figure who harvests (or ‘reaps’) human souls with his scythe — is perhaps one of the most common and enduring of all such personifications. From medieval times until today, the embodiment of death is part of a rich art-historical and cinematic tradition. It is also an enduring emblem for counter-cultural groups such as bikers and Heavy Metal enthusiasts. Seen within this context, the image of the Grim Reaper can also be read as a cliché: an image so ubiquitous that it is barely given a second thought. In this series, Smith rises to the challenge of how to paint the Grim Reaper in a contemporary and meaningful way and, in so doing, creates a modern form of memento mori. Only in this case, it is one that transcends the motif of death and opens up a space in which to consider how the subject is treated in contemporary art. Ultimately, the endless repetition of the subject, coupled with the rich painterly qualities of the works, almost serves as an antidote to death’s more grandiose and threatening incarnations. Although the Reaper is ever-present in these paintings, Smith’s canvases radiate, in both literal and figurative terms, an irrepressible sense of joie de vivre.

The exhibition also includes a group of Grim Reaper monotypes. Josh Smith originally trained as a printmaker and these unique works are made by painting or drawing on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing it onto the plate. In this case, the process was completed using a printing press. The surfaces of the resulting works are richly nuanced, with the paint layers interacting with the material qualities of the paper to create beautiful visual effects. Josh Smith has said of the prints: “I feel as if the monotypes are a type of painting. The process of creating a monotype allows for reaction and reflection as you are creating. In this exhibition you will notice the changes between the monotypes and the paintings.”

Publication

Josh Smith
Finding Emo / Keyhole

texts by Megan Lang, published by Xavier Hufkens, 2023, 168 pages, head to tail hardcover, English

Josh Smith (b. 1976, Okinawa, Japan) lives and works in New York. Recent solo exhibitions include: Josh Smith, Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn, Germany (2016), Josh Smith, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Roma, Italy (2015), The American Dream, Brant Foundation Art Study Center, Greenwich, Connecticut (2011) and Hidden Darts, Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien, Vienna, Austria (2008).

Josh Smith in conversation with Anne Pontégnie

Related exhibitions

Selected works

  • More to Say, 2019

  • Know What It Is, 2019

  • Let it Go, 2019

  • Blessing, 2019

  • Clear Night, 2019

  • No Delay, 2019

  • My Direction, 2019

  • Change of plans, 2019

  • Cave Reaper, 2019

  • Certainty, 2019

  • Nice Moment, 2019

  • Nothing More, 2019

  • Nearly There, 2019

  • Compadre, 2019

  • Ascending Pitch, 2019

  • Among the Trees, 2019

  • Consider the Situation, 2019

  • Last Thing, 2019

  • As it Was, 2019

  • No Passage, 2019

  • All Due Respect, 2019

  • Yes and No, 2019

  • No Matter, 2019

  • Short Notice, 2019

  • Fresh Encounter, 2019

  • Opportunity, 2019

  • Answer, 2019

  • Mixed Message, 2019

  • Natural Fact, 2019

  • Instant Onset, 2019

  • Night Watchman, 2018

  • Passage, 2019

  • Change of plans 2, 2019

  • Ask the Question, 2019

  • There is a Passage, 2019

  • Final Answer, 2019

  • Indication, 2019

  • Near the Edge, 2019

  • Sweet Deal, 2019

  • Familiar Feeling, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

  • Reaper, 2019

Related artworks

    Josh Smith

    More to Say, 2019

    oil on linen
    152.4 x 122 cm, 60 x 48 in.

    Josh Smith

    Know What It Is, 2019

    oil on linen
    152.4 x 122 cm, 60 x 48 in.

    Josh Smith

    Let it Go, 2019

    oil on linen
    152.4 x 122 cm, 60 x 48 in.

    Josh Smith

    Blessing, 2019

    oil on linen
    152.4 x 122 cm, 60 x 48 in.

    Josh Smith

    Clear Night, 2019

    oil on linen
    152.4 x 122 cm, 60 x 48 in.

    Josh Smith

    No Delay, 2019

    oil on linen
    152.4 x 122 cm, 60 x 48 in.

    Josh Smith

    My Direction, 2019

    oil on linen
    35.7 x 28.2 cm, 14 x 11 in.

    Josh Smith

    Change of plans, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.5 x 20.5 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Cave Reaper, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Certainty, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Nice Moment, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Nothing More, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Nearly There, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Compadre, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Ascending Pitch, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Among the Trees, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Consider the Situation, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.5 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    Last Thing, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.5 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    As it Was, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.5 x 61.3 cm, 30 x 24 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    No Passage, 2019

    oil on linen
    76.7 x 61.2 cm, 30 1/8 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    All Due Respect, 2019

    oil on linen
    35.7 x 28.2 cm, 14 x 11 in.

    Josh Smith

    Yes and No, 2019

    oil on linen
    35.6 x 28.5 cm, 14 x 11 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    No Matter, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Short Notice, 2019

    oil on linen
    122 x 91.5 cm, 48 x 36 in.

    Josh Smith

    Fresh Encounter, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.6 x 20.5 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Opportunity, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.5 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    Answer, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.8 x 61.3 cm, 30 1/8 x 24 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Mixed Message, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.1 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    Natural Fact, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.6 x 20.5 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Instant Onset, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.6 x 20.5 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Night Watchman, 2018

    oil on linen
    25.6 x 20.6 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Passage, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.5 x 20.5 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Change of plans 2, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.7 x 20.6 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Ask the Question, 2019

    oil on linen
    25.5 x 20.6 cm, 10 x 8 in.

    Josh Smith

    There is a Passage, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.3 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    Final Answer, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.5 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in.

    Josh Smith

    Indication, 2019

    oil on canvas
    76.5 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 x 3/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Near the Edge, 2019

    oil on linen
    35.6 x 28.2 cm, 14 x 11 in.

    Josh Smith

    Sweet Deal, 2019

    oil on linen
    35.7 x 28.3 cm, 14 x 11 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Familiar Feeling, 2019

    oil on linen
    35.7 x 28.5 cm, 14 x 11 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    90.6 x 65 cm, 35 5/8 x 25 1/2 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Somerset paper
    66.3 x 50.9 cm, 26 x 20 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Somerset paper
    66.1 x 50.8 cm, 26 x 20 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Whatman paper
    67 x 51.7 cm, 26 3/8 x 20 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    90.2 x 64 cm, 35 1/2 x 25 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper 90.5 x 67.3 cm, 35 5/8 x 26 1/2 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    90.7 x 65.6 cm, 35 5/8 x 25 3/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Somerset paper
    67.5 x 51.1 cm, 26 1/2 x 20 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    63 x 52.3 cm, 24 3/4 x 20 1/2 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Somerset paper
    66.1 x 50.9 cm, 26 x 20 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    90.6 x 65 cm, 35 5/8 x 25 1/2 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.7 x 15.9 cm, 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.8 x 15.9 cm, 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.8 x 15.8 cm, 11 5/8 x 6 1/8 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.9 x 15.9 cm, 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.9 x 15.9 cm, 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    30 x 15.9 cm, 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.8 x 16 cm, 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.8 x 16 cm, 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    30 x 15.9 cm, 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    30.2 x 15.9 cm, 11 7/8 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    30.1 x 15.9 cm, 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.8 x 16 cm, 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    29.8 x 16 cm, 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.

    Josh Smith

    Reaper, 2019

    monotype print on Plike paper
    30.6 x 15.9 cm, 12 x 6 1/4 in.

Installation views