Metaphysical Translation: Justin Smith

“My work utilizes the art of sampling, which is a foundational technique employed in the culture of hip-
hop. In a purely musical context, sampling is the process of digitally encoding music or sound and reusing it as part of a composition or recording. Growing up an enthusiast of hip-hop music in its earliest and purest forms, that adventurous spirit of sampling was unconsciously carried over into the realms of my creative expression years later when I started painting. My work draws from dreams, conversations, architecture, images, landscape, music, history, and pop culture references that inspire me and organically. I am able to infuse or sample my influences throughout my art. The end result is often fresh, colorful, and vibrant work that comes from the heart but is edited with a keen, discerning eye as well. The unintentionally ambiguous nature of my work is abstract, but is made with clear and focused direction and intent. The joy that I receive when viewers of my work interpret what they see filtered through their own experiences and perspectives is unparalleled, and often provides insight into elements of the work that even I didn’t see or notice before. This not only provides inspiration but further motivates me to create from the heart, while allowing the viewers to connect with the art however they see fit.”

Justin Smith is an actor, writer, musician, and self taught artist. He was born and raised in Rockland County, NY. He graduated from SUNY Rockland with an Associates’s degree in communications. Focusing mainly on his musical and creative writing abilities throughout his early adulthood, Justin transitioned into acting in 2012. That year he made his theatrical debut at the Elmwood Playhouse in Nyack NY, performing in the stage play “A Soldier’s Play” directed by legendary local director Joe Albert Lima. The following years after, he worked under the tutelage of the great writer/director Samuel Harps, landing various lead roles at the Shades Reperatory Theatre in Haverstraw, NY. Driven by an intense desire to artistically redefine himself, he took a sabbatical from acting and began painting in 2013, quickly developing his craft to the point of his work being accepted in group art shows in Manhattan the following year. Since then, his work has been shown in various group exhibits, fashion shows, theatrical productions, and festivals throughout NYC and the tri-state area. His current solo exhibition for The Union Arts Center Metaphysical Translation is the accumulation of his best work produced in the last three years, and is truly representative of his talent and uncompromising vision.