People_

Dr Oliver Smith

BVA (Sydney) BVA(Hons) MPhil (ANU) PhD (Sydney)

Senior Lecturer, Visual Art
Sydney College of the Arts

Email

oliver.smith@sydney.edu.au

Address

A22 - Old Teachers' College

The University of Sydney

Details

Member of the Charles Perkins Centre

Websites

Full contact details

Resume

Curriculum vitae

Biographical details

Dr Oliver Smith began his tertiary studies in the Jewellery & Object Studio at Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney and completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1995. This was followed by a period of work experience, modelled on the traditional journeymanship, that saw him work for prominent silversmiths and metalworkers in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany and England. Returning to formal study in the Gold & Silversmithing Workshop at the School of Art, The Australian National University, Oliver gained First Class Honours in 2000, and a Master of Philosophy in 2003. Since that time Oliver has maintained an active research profile as a silversmith and has presented his work nationally and internationally. From 2005 Oliver has worked as an academic at Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney and in 2021 was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy.

Research interests

Silversmithing, Contemporary Craft and Design
Goldsmithing, Contemporary Jewellery and Adornment
Blacksmithing, Contemporary Metalsmithing and Toolmaking
Contemporary Art, Sculpture, Image and Installation
Material Culture, Archaeology and Anthropology
Sculptural, Utilitarian and Ceremonial Objects
Animal Symbolism, Figurative Representation and Mythopoeia

Teaching and supervision

Current projects

Periapts: Bone, Tooth, Claw - a collection of wearable objects that embody the origins of archetypal forms of jewellery

Associations

Australian Design Honours - Australian Design Centre

Awards and honours

2022 German Goldsmthing Hall, Hanau acquires Sauce Ladles
2019 Research Support Scheme, School of Literature, Art & Media, The University of Sydney
2019 SCA Individual Research Support Funding, Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
2018 Faculty of Arts and Social Science Doctoral Research Travel Grant Scheme
2018 SCA Individual Research Support Funding
2017 Research Support Scheme Funding, Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
2014 Postgraduate Research Support Scheme Funding
2012 National Gallery of Australia acquires F!NK Fatware
2011 Art Gallery of South Australia acquires Totem Cutlery
2010 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship
2010 Australia Council, Visual Arts Board, New Work Grant
2009 PYD Product of the Year, Stilla Carafe
2008 SCA Research Support Grant, Springboard
2007 IDEA 07 Awards, Home Beautiful Product of the Year - Winner Luxury Tabletop Category
2007 IDEA Awards Product of the Year, OSP Gen II
2006 Governor General’s Table Bells for Government House and Admiralty House,
commissioned by the Australiana Fund
2005 Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Design Initiative: Maker to Manufacturer to Market
2004 Australia Council for the Arts, Craft-in-Site Grant

Current research students

Project title	Research student
Urban ruin, memory and emotion: A studio project exploring urban transformation in China through abstract painting	Boyi CHEN
Quick—nobody's looking, sidestepping structures of power in contemporary art through wry humour and absurdist institutional critique	Michael LINDEMAN
Crafting Regrowth: Contemporary Jewellery and Post-Fire Plant Resilience in Australia	Xinze YU

Publications

By Type

Expand all

Journals

Smith, O. (2007). The Australian Governor General's Table Bells. Silver Journal of Australia, 3, 3-5.

Visual Art

Smith, O. (2024). Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft and Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2024). Elemental Arc and the Vital Vector: 1. Zoomorphic Conduction & Metallic Conveyance, 2020. In: Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2024). Manifest Destiny: 1. Odinic Spur 2020 2. Rite & Ruin, 2020 3. The Chatter of Nuthatches, 2020. In: Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2024). Stone, Bone, Iron (3x Sculptures): 1. Wild Fabling, 2020 2. Chimera of Myth, 2020 3. Divine Spark, 2020. In: Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2022). Naturally Wild 2022 (Cutlery, Serving Utensils and Stand). In: Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2022). Sauce Ladles. In: 20th Silver Triennial. Association for Goldsmiths' Art and German Goldsmithing Hall, Hanau. Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus, Hanau, Germany. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2018). 1. Suzerain 2. Nostromo 3. War Dog 4. Reach 5. Sever 6. Gather 7. Bone 8. Tooth 9. Claw. In: Obsessed: Compelled to Make. Australian Design Centre, Sydney, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2017). 1. Divine Ratio 2. Razorback 3. Field of Wings. In: STEEL: art design architecture. JamFactory, Adelaide, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2015). Kianpraty Periapt. In: Honed. Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2014). 1. Kianpraty Icon 2. Kianpraty Periapt 3. Elementary. In: New Materialism. SCA Galleries, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2013). 1. Bluestone Centrepiece 2. Quartz Centrepiece 3. Onyx Centrepiece. In: Interpretations IIII: Design works in stone. Object Gallery: Australian Design Centre. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2011). 1. Totem 2. Reef 3. Classic. In: Elements: metal. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2011). Centrepieces 1. Mac Enge 2. Snekkja 3. Cyclops. In: O XI. METALAB. COTA, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2011). Signet x 9. In: Interpretations III. Annex Space. Damien Minton Gallery, Redfern, Australia.
Smith, O. (2010). 1. Trivet I 2. Trivet II 3. Trivet III 4. Trivet IV 5. Trivet V. In: Teawares. Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design. Jam Factory, Adelaide, Australia.
Smith, O. (2010). Genus Serving Spoon and Servers. In: Silver Triennial International: 16th worldwide competition. Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus, Hanau, Germany.
Smith, O. (2009). 1. BBQ 1 2. BBQ 2. In: Interpretations II. Gaffa Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). 1. ONE Tongs 2. ONE Dessert Cutlery 3. ONE Servers. In: Alumina: Recent work by Gold and Silversmithing Workshop Alumni. ANU School of Art. ANU School of Art Foyer Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). 1. Serpent Genie 2. Raptor Totem 3. Bovine Idol. In: Untouchable. Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney. SCA Galleries, Rozelle, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). Adaption Cutlery. In: BUDA Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork Exhibition 2009. BUDA Historic Home & Garden, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). Cutler Rustler. In: Eat Green Design. 13th International Sydney Design 09 Festival, Powerhouse Museum. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O., Simpson, A. (2009). Stilla Carafe. In: PYD Product of the Year Award Exhibition. Danks Street Festival and Vogue Living. PYD building, Waterloo, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). Cherry blossom and Magnolia Centrepiece. In: St. Catherine's Commission. Catherine's School Waverly, Sydney. Ohtani High School, Osaka, Japan.
Smith, O. (2008). Duntroon Centrepiece Commission. In: Royal Military College Centrepiece. Royal Military College of Australia Officers Mess Duntroon, Canberra. Royal Military College of Australia Officers Mess, Duntroon, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). One - Universal Utensil. In: Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award 2008. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). OSP Generation III: Wings-Dapple serving utensil 2008. In: F!NK: fostering design. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). OSP Generation III: Wings-Harlequin serving utensil 2008. In: F!NK: fostering design. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). OSP Generation III: Wings-Neon serving utensil 2008. In: Fink: fostering design. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2007). Friend To All Pendant + Badge. In: Once Upon a Time.. SCA Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2007). OSP Generation II: petal condiment spoons, 2006. In: Smart works: design and the hand made. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2007). Sail server serving utensil 2004. In: smart works: design and the hand made. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). 1. Arc cheese knife 2. Dorsal serving blade 3. Petal Condiment Spoon (wide) 4. Petal Condiment Spoon (narrow). In: Oliver smith Products Generation II. Metalab, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Brazier + Hotblocks. In: going BIG. Object Galley. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Family Spoons. In: Diverse Metal. Workshop Bilk. Dusseldorf Bilk Queanbeyan, Workshop Bilk, Queanbeyan, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Fatware +Tray. In: VOLUME. metalab, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Handmade planishing hammer. In: Process. Australian National Capital Artists Inc (ANCA). ANCA Gallery, Dickson ACT, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Spartan Cutlery (Knife, fork spoon and rest) 2004. In: In The Can. Gig Gallery and Australian National University. Gig Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Spartan Servers. In: In The Can. Gig Gallery and Australian National University. Gig Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). The Australian Governor General's Table Bells. In: Governor General's Table Bells. commissioned by Australiana Fund. Government House, Canberra and Admiralty House, Sydney, Canberra and Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2005). Bowls, Spoons and Forks. In: An Artful Feast. Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Smith, O. (2005). Ilia serving utensil. In: Contemporary Australian Silver and Metalwork Award Buda 2005. Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, Australia.
Smith, O. (2005). Simple Spoons 2005. In: 29th Alice Craft Acquisition. Araluen Arts Centre. Witchetty's Artspace, Alice Springs, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). 1. Wound Round 2004 2. Box 2004 3. Bowl 2004. In: Containers. Workshop Bilk, Queanbeyan, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Antler and Ilium Serving Utensils 2004. In: Forty: years/ makers/ object. Object Galley. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Flat Pack Toast Rack. In: Box. Australian National Capital Artists Inc (ANCA). ANCA Gallery, Dickson ACT, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Fondue. In: Horizons. Australian National University. ANU School of Art Gallery and Foyer Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Mon Oncle Series 2004: 1. Liquid Carrier 2003 2. Liquid Warmer 3. Rack 2004 4. Trellis Servers 2004 5. Strainer 2004 6. Agitator 2004 7. Stirrer 2004. In: Still Lives. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). OSP Generation I: 1. Sail (serving utensil) 2. Arc (cheese knife) 3. Sweet (dessert spoon) 4. Treat (condiment spoon). In: Partners in Craft. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Workshop Experiments. In: Pursuing Synergy: from hand tools to digital solutions. College of Fine Arts (COFA) Gallery, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2003). Banquet Cutlery Experiments. In: Horizons. Australian National University. ANU School of Art Gallery and Foyer Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2003). Oars and Tillers serving utensil. In: Australia Silver 2005, Tasmanian Craft Fair. Rotary Club of Deloraine, Deloraine, Australia.
Smith, O. (2003). Process Work 2001-2003. In: Making Insights. Finishing Room Gallery. Finishing Room Gallery, Wood Workshop., Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2002). Teaset 2002. In: Ritual of Tea. Jam Factory Adelaide and Object Gallery Sydney. Jam Factory and Object Gallery, Adelaide, and Sydney, Australia.

show 50 more

Magazine / Newspaper Articles

Fitzgerald, M., Smith, O. (2021). Silversmith put Australian jewellery design on world stage. The Sydney Morning Herald. [More Information]

By Year

Expand all

2024

Smith, O. (2024). Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft and Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2024). Elemental Arc and the Vital Vector: 1. Zoomorphic Conduction & Metallic Conveyance, 2020. In: Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2024). Manifest Destiny: 1. Odinic Spur 2020 2. Rite & Ruin, 2020 3. The Chatter of Nuthatches, 2020. In: Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2024). Stone, Bone, Iron (3x Sculptures): 1. Wild Fabling, 2020 2. Chimera of Myth, 2020 3. Divine Spark, 2020. In: Talisman, Tool and Touchstone. Craft + Design Canberra, Canberra, Australia. [More Information]

show 1 more

2022

Smith, O. (2022). Naturally Wild 2022 (Cutlery, Serving Utensils and Stand). In: Robert Foster F!NK National Metal Prize. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia. [More Information]
Smith, O. (2022). Sauce Ladles. In: 20th Silver Triennial. Association for Goldsmiths' Art and German Goldsmithing Hall, Hanau. Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus, Hanau, Germany. [More Information]

2021

Fitzgerald, M., Smith, O. (2021). Silversmith put Australian jewellery design on world stage. The Sydney Morning Herald. [More Information]

2018

Smith, O. (2018). 1. Suzerain 2. Nostromo 3. War Dog 4. Reach 5. Sever 6. Gather 7. Bone 8. Tooth 9. Claw. In: Obsessed: Compelled to Make. Australian Design Centre, Sydney, Australia. [More Information]

2017

Smith, O. (2017). 1. Divine Ratio 2. Razorback 3. Field of Wings. In: STEEL: art design architecture. JamFactory, Adelaide, Australia. [More Information]

2015

Smith, O. (2015). Kianpraty Periapt. In: Honed. Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, Australia.

2014

Smith, O. (2014). 1. Kianpraty Icon 2. Kianpraty Periapt 3. Elementary. In: New Materialism. SCA Galleries, Sydney, Australia.

2013

Smith, O. (2013). 1. Bluestone Centrepiece 2. Quartz Centrepiece 3. Onyx Centrepiece. In: Interpretations IIII: Design works in stone. Object Gallery: Australian Design Centre. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.

2011

Smith, O. (2011). 1. Totem 2. Reef 3. Classic. In: Elements: metal. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2011). Centrepieces 1. Mac Enge 2. Snekkja 3. Cyclops. In: O XI. METALAB. COTA, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2011). Signet x 9. In: Interpretations III. Annex Space. Damien Minton Gallery, Redfern, Australia.

2010

Smith, O. (2010). 1. Trivet I 2. Trivet II 3. Trivet III 4. Trivet IV 5. Trivet V. In: Teawares. Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design. Jam Factory, Adelaide, Australia.
Smith, O. (2010). Genus Serving Spoon and Servers. In: Silver Triennial International: 16th worldwide competition. Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus, Hanau, Germany.

2009

Smith, O. (2009). 1. BBQ 1 2. BBQ 2. In: Interpretations II. Gaffa Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). 1. ONE Tongs 2. ONE Dessert Cutlery 3. ONE Servers. In: Alumina: Recent work by Gold and Silversmithing Workshop Alumni. ANU School of Art. ANU School of Art Foyer Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). 1. Serpent Genie 2. Raptor Totem 3. Bovine Idol. In: Untouchable. Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney. SCA Galleries, Rozelle, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). Adaption Cutlery. In: BUDA Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork Exhibition 2009. BUDA Historic Home & Garden, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia.
Smith, O. (2009). Cutler Rustler. In: Eat Green Design. 13th International Sydney Design 09 Festival, Powerhouse Museum. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O., Simpson, A. (2009). Stilla Carafe. In: PYD Product of the Year Award Exhibition. Danks Street Festival and Vogue Living. PYD building, Waterloo, Sydney, Australia.

show 3 more

2008

Smith, O. (2008). Cherry blossom and Magnolia Centrepiece. In: St. Catherine's Commission. Catherine's School Waverly, Sydney. Ohtani High School, Osaka, Japan.
Smith, O. (2008). Duntroon Centrepiece Commission. In: Royal Military College Centrepiece. Royal Military College of Australia Officers Mess Duntroon, Canberra. Royal Military College of Australia Officers Mess, Duntroon, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). One - Universal Utensil. In: Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award 2008. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). OSP Generation III: Wings-Dapple serving utensil 2008. In: F!NK: fostering design. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). OSP Generation III: Wings-Harlequin serving utensil 2008. In: F!NK: fostering design. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2008). OSP Generation III: Wings-Neon serving utensil 2008. In: Fink: fostering design. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.

show 3 more

2007

Smith, O. (2007). Friend To All Pendant + Badge. In: Once Upon a Time.. SCA Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2007). OSP Generation II: petal condiment spoons, 2006. In: Smart works: design and the hand made. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2007). Sail server serving utensil 2004. In: smart works: design and the hand made. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2007). The Australian Governor General's Table Bells. Silver Journal of Australia, 3, 3-5.

show 1 more

2006

Smith, O. (2006). 1. Arc cheese knife 2. Dorsal serving blade 3. Petal Condiment Spoon (wide) 4. Petal Condiment Spoon (narrow). In: Oliver smith Products Generation II. Metalab, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Brazier + Hotblocks. In: going BIG. Object Galley. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Family Spoons. In: Diverse Metal. Workshop Bilk. Dusseldorf Bilk Queanbeyan, Workshop Bilk, Queanbeyan, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Fatware +Tray. In: VOLUME. metalab, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Handmade planishing hammer. In: Process. Australian National Capital Artists Inc (ANCA). ANCA Gallery, Dickson ACT, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Spartan Cutlery (Knife, fork spoon and rest) 2004. In: In The Can. Gig Gallery and Australian National University. Gig Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). Spartan Servers. In: In The Can. Gig Gallery and Australian National University. Gig Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2006). The Australian Governor General's Table Bells. In: Governor General's Table Bells. commissioned by Australiana Fund. Government House, Canberra and Admiralty House, Sydney, Canberra and Sydney, Australia.

show 5 more

2005

Smith, O. (2005). Bowls, Spoons and Forks. In: An Artful Feast. Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Smith, O. (2005). Ilia serving utensil. In: Contemporary Australian Silver and Metalwork Award Buda 2005. Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, Australia.
Smith, O. (2005). Simple Spoons 2005. In: 29th Alice Craft Acquisition. Araluen Arts Centre. Witchetty's Artspace, Alice Springs, Australia.

2004

Smith, O. (2004). 1. Wound Round 2004 2. Box 2004 3. Bowl 2004. In: Containers. Workshop Bilk, Queanbeyan, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Antler and Ilium Serving Utensils 2004. In: Forty: years/ makers/ object. Object Galley. Object Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Flat Pack Toast Rack. In: Box. Australian National Capital Artists Inc (ANCA). ANCA Gallery, Dickson ACT, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Fondue. In: Horizons. Australian National University. ANU School of Art Gallery and Foyer Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Mon Oncle Series 2004: 1. Liquid Carrier 2003 2. Liquid Warmer 3. Rack 2004 4. Trellis Servers 2004 5. Strainer 2004 6. Agitator 2004 7. Stirrer 2004. In: Still Lives. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). OSP Generation I: 1. Sail (serving utensil) 2. Arc (cheese knife) 3. Sweet (dessert spoon) 4. Treat (condiment spoon). In: Partners in Craft. Craft ACT. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2004). Workshop Experiments. In: Pursuing Synergy: from hand tools to digital solutions. College of Fine Arts (COFA) Gallery, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.

show 4 more

2003

Smith, O. (2003). Banquet Cutlery Experiments. In: Horizons. Australian National University. ANU School of Art Gallery and Foyer Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
Smith, O. (2003). Oars and Tillers serving utensil. In: Australia Silver 2005, Tasmanian Craft Fair. Rotary Club of Deloraine, Deloraine, Australia.
Smith, O. (2003). Process Work 2001-2003. In: Making Insights. Finishing Room Gallery. Finishing Room Gallery, Wood Workshop., Canberra, Australia.

2002

Smith, O. (2002). Teaset 2002. In: Ritual of Tea. Jam Factory Adelaide and Object Gallery Sydney. Jam Factory and Object Gallery, Adelaide, and Sydney, Australia.

Selected Grants

2004

MMM (maker to manufacturer to market), Smith O, Australia Council/New work

2003

Craft-in-Site Grant, Smith O, Australia Council/Craft-in-Site

2002

ArtsACT Project, Smith O, ArtsACT/Project Funding

2000

Graduate Award, Smith O, The Australian National University School of Art/Graduate Award Scholarship

In the media

Steel: Art, Design, Architecture, Jam Factory

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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