Oliver Smith

Biography

Oliver Smith began his tertiary studies in the Jewellery & Object Studio at SCA 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 ANU School of Art, Oliver gained First Class Honours in 2000, and a Master of Philosophy on 2003. The recipient of numerous awards and with a growing international profile, he now combines a vigorous craft and design practice with lecturing at SCA.

Research

Smith’s research practice grows from his background in silversmithing and covers a broad range of approaches to object making. This includes unique handcrafted objects, designs for industrial production, commission work, experimental exhibition pieces, technologically explorative work and collaborative projects. Epitomising the dynamic role of the contemporary object maker, Smith works across the contexts of craft, design and art. A particular interest in hammer forming processes has led to a focus on objects for the table and an interest in the social conventions of the shared meal.

Recent Exhibitions

Cutlery, Hidden Space Gallery, Seoul – South Korea, 2011

O XI: Centrepieces, Cutlery and Trivets, metalab (studio + gallery), Surry Hills – Australia, 2011
Prototyping: Making Ideas, landmark exhibition celebrating the role of prototyping by hand by both established and emerging Australian designers, Jamfactory Gallery, Adelaide – Australia, 2011

16th Silver Triennial, Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Hanau - Germany, Fair Ambiente, Frankfurt - Germany, Museum Kunstgewerbesammlung Huelsmann, Bielefeld – Germany, Zilvermuseum Sterckshof, Antwerp – Belgium, KreisMuseum Zons, Dormagen - Germany Wasserschloss Klaffenbach, Chemnitz – Germany, 2010-2012

F!NK Fostering Design, Craft ACT, Canberra, Australian Embassy, Washington, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Surfers Paradise, Object Gallery, Sydney, Wagga Wagga National Glass Centre, Wagga Wagga, 2010 - 2008

Eat Green Design, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, 2009

Collect: Australian Contemporary Teaware, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2008

Buda: Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork, Buda Historic Home, Castlemaine, Hamilton Art Gallery, Hamilton, Geelong Art Gallery, Geelong, McClelland Art Gallery & Sculpture Park, Langwarrin, Gold Treasury Museum, Melbourne, 2008 - 2007

Smart Works: design and the handmade, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, 2007

Freestyle: new Australian design for living, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Object Gallery, Sydney, QUT Art Museum, Brisbane, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2007- 2006

MMM Launch, Object Gallery, Sydney, 2006

Banquet: a collaboration, AGNSW, Sydney, 2005

Oliver Smith Product Launch, Craft ACT, 2004

Research Supervision

Helen Mok, Hons

Angela Porritt, Hons

Kenny Son, Hons

Awards & Grants

2010 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship
2010 Australia Council 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

Professional Membership

Object, Creative advisory group

Craft ACT Accredited Professional Member

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