Josh Smith: Studio News 2

Welcome to Studio News 2, the launch of a new series of unique and hand-painted monotypes by Josh Smith that build upon the artist’s signature paintings featuring sunsets and palm trees in generic tropical locales.

This presentation features a special edition of the artist’s program Studio News, which Smith is launching soon on YouTube—you can follow along here until then—and precedes a solo painting exhibition at our Paris gallery this fall.

A special edition of Josh Smith’s Studio News. Edited by Manon Macasaet

You’re fighting to keep the image going, so every one involves a lot of painting. I like to make a little war on the two-dimensional surface. You either win it or lose it. You don’t end the war. You go down fighting.

—JOSH SMITH

Josh Smith

Untitled, 2022

Monotype on Whatman paper

23 1/2 x 18 inches (59.7 x 45.7 cm)

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Josh Smith in his studio in Brooklyn, New York, 2023. Courtesy the artist

I love it. It’s hard. It’s hard to get away from painting for me. But goddammit, printmaking is what I studied and it’s a big part of me. I’m old now, that’s the way it’s gone.

Josh Smith

Untitled, 2022

Monotype on Rives BFK Paper

40 1/4 x 57 1/2 inches (102.2 x 146.1 cm)

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Video courtesy the artist, 2023

A large reason I’m making these palm tree prints is because I come to South Carolina a lot when I need a break from my normal life. These are the type of palm trees they have here.

Josh Smith

Untitled, 2022

Monotype on Rives BFK Paper

40 1/4 x 57 1/2 inches (102.2 x 146.1 cm)

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Josh Smith

Untitled, 2022

Monotype on Somerset paper

23 1/4 x 18 5/8 inches (59.1 x 47.3 cm)

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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.

Josh Smith

Untitled, 2022

Monotype on Rives BFK Paper

35 1/2 x 26 inches (90.2 x 66 cm)

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Josh Smith

Untitled, 2022

Monotype on Rives BFK Paper

36 1/2 x 27 inches (92.7 x 68.6 cm)

Inquire

There’s a lot I don’t know. I haven’t seen that much stuff, actually, that’s why I think palm trees are so exotic and such an accessible subject. If people haven’t ever even seen one, at least they can relate to it in some sort of way. I have a lot to say about that.