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Mr Oliver Smith

BVA (SCA) BVA(Hons) MPhil (ANU)
Senior Lecturer, Visual Art
Undergraduate Coursework Coordinator

Member of the Charles Perkins Centre

A20 - John Woolley Building
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 1070
Fax +61 2 9351 1199

Website Oliver Smith

Biographical details

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 research profile, he now combines a vigorous visual art practice with lecturing at SCA.

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Research interests

Oliver Smith’s visual art practice draws on his background in silversmithing, his love of the ductile and malleable qualities of metal and his knowledge of the history of the silversmith’s craft. His work, ranging from sculptural object, through to image and installation, explores themes of non-human agency, the totemic and the numinous. Oliver’s current research examines the link between the tool and talisman and the role of material transformation and biomimicry in human creativity and culture.

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Associations

Object: Australian Design Centre, Board of Directors

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Awards and honours

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

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PhD and master's project opportunities

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Selected grants

2005

  • MMM (maker to manufacturer to market); Smith O; Australia Council/New work.

2004

  • Craft-in-Site Grant; Smith O; Australia Council/Craft-in-Site.

2003

  • ArtsACT Project; Smith O; ArtsACT/Project Funding.

2001

  • Graduate Award; Smith O; The Australian National University School of Art/Graduate Award Scholarship.
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Selected publications & creative works

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Journals

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

Visual Art

  • Smith, O. (2018). 1. Suzerain 2. Nostromo 3. War Dog 4. Reach 5. Sever 6. Gather 7. Bone, Tooth, Claw 8. Bone, Tooth, Claw 9. Bone, Tooth, 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). 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. (2008). St. Catherine's Commission. In: St. Catherine's Commission. Catherine's School Waverly, Sydney. Ohtani High School., Osaka, Japan.
  • 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. 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). 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). 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.

2018

  • Smith, O. (2018). 1. Suzerain 2. Nostromo 3. War Dog 4. Reach 5. Sever 6. Gather 7. Bone, Tooth, Claw 8. Bone, Tooth, Claw 9. Bone, Tooth, 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.

2008

  • 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. (2008). St. Catherine's Commission. In: St. Catherine's Commission. Catherine's School Waverly, Sydney. Ohtani High School., Osaka, Japan.

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.

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.

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. 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). 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). 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.

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.
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