Dee Smart

Lives and works in Sydney

Artist's CV

Represented by nanda\hobbs

Painting directly from life, her dynamic yet intimate portraits peel away the armour of the modern world to reveal the truth, vulnerabilities and inherent strength of the sitter. Each portrait is then embellished with a historical reference to Tudor times.  The artist draws our attention to the similarities of our own age of online dating—one could say it is "Tinder for Tudors.” Smart has also brought a tongue in cheek, contemporary twist to each piece. 

Exquisitely framed by renowned framer Brett Lichtenstein, the paintings have become beautiful objects of desire. At its heart, Smart’s narrative crashes headlong into modern society's obsession with beauty, self and desire. The exhibition is an important discourse on how we wish to portray ourselves and, in doing so, our need to attract and find love in the digital age. 

Smart moved from Adelaide to Melbourne as a teenager to study ballet at the Victorian College of Arts. Further studies in acting in Sydney led to a successful career in film, television and stage. Following the birth of her first child, Smart began pursuing visual arts where a passion for life drawing led directly to a painting career that has gained significant momentum in recent years.

In 2017 and 2018, Smart was selected as a finalist in the Archibald Prize—her first two attempts. Both works achieved notoriety for their pop sensibility and dynamic palette. Her 2018 Archibald portrait was ultimately collected by one of the most prominent private collections of female artists in Australia.  She has also been a finalist in the Paddington Art Prize and, recently, the 2019 Portia Geach Memorial Award— Australia’s most important art prize for portraiture by women artists. These, along with success in other significant prizes this year, underline her rising star.  Recently, the prestigious Bennett Collection in the United States included Smart’s work in their collection, making her one of only three Australian artist to be acknowledged.

 

 

\ Artworks

Fragmented Leap of Faith

2020 \ Acrylic on linen \ 3 Panels - Dimensions variable

In the Balance II

2021 \ Oil on aluminium composite panel \ Framed size: 170 x 114.5cm

SOLD

In the Balance V

2021 \ Oil on aluminium composite panel \ Framed size: 170 x 114.5cm

Kestie

2019 \ Oil on board, screenprint, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size) \ SOLD

Kestie

2019 \ Acrylic faced LED light box \ Edition of 5 \ 146 x 120cm

Kim

2018 \ Oil on board, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size)

Large two channel vessel

2022 Dee Smart & Agatha Pupaher \ Stoneware with porcelain slip, cobalt oxide underglaze, kasugi gold \ 59 x 31cm

Lieschen in green

2019 \ Oil on board, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size)

Megan

2019 \ Oil on board, screenprint, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size) \ SOLD

SOLD

Montaigne

2019 \ Oil on board, screenprint, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size)

My Baby

2021 \ Oil on aluminium composite panel \ F. 177.5 x 121cm

SOLD

Nakisha

2019 \ Oil on board, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size) \ SOLD

Pippa

2019 \ Oil on board, screenprint, water gilded frame \ 60 x 55cm (framed size) \ SOLD

Secret Seahorse Business

2020-21 \ Watercolour and collage on paper \ 120 x 85.6 framed

SOLD

Small bowl

2022 Dee Smart & Agatha Pupaher \ Stoneware with porcelain slip,cobalt oxide underglaze \ 14.5 x 16cm

SOLD

Tall vessel

2022 Dee Smart & Agatha Pupaher \ Stoneware with porcelain slip,cobalt oxide underglaze \ 50 x 26cm

Tangled Blue Bottle

2021 \ Watercolour on paper \ 121.5 x 115cm

SOLD

The Guardian

2020-21 \ Watercolour and collage on paper \ 133.6 x 131.8 framed

SOLD

Translucent Seahorse

2020-21 \ Watercolour and collage on paper \ 98.2 x 70.6cm

SOLD

Two bowl vessel

2022 Dee Smart & Agatha Pupaher \ Stoneware with porcelain slip,cobalt oxide underglaze \ 18.5 x 25 x 16cm

SOLD

Two channel small vessel

2022 Dee Smart & Agatha Pupaher \ Stoneware with porcelain slip,cobalt oxide underglaze \ 16 x 19cm

Two channel vessel

2022 Dee Smart & Agatha Pupaher \ Stoneware with porcelain slip, cobalt oxide underglaze, kasugi gold \ 50 x 34 x 27cm

What Lies Beneath I

2020-21 \ Watercolour, collage on board and epoxy resin \ 59.5 x 40.3cm

SOLD

What Lies Beneath IV

2020-21 \ Watercolour, collage on board and epoxy resin \ 59 x 39cm

SOLD

What Lies Beneath V

2020-21 \ Watercolour, collage on board and epoxy resin \ 59 x 37.6cm

SOLD

What lies beneath

2021 \ Watercolour, collage on board and epoxy resin \ 12.7 x 22.86

SOLD

\ News

Media

Dee Smart on drawing James Packer, cancer and the morning she ‘lost her mind’. SMH 12/04/23

13 April 2023

Like her famous subject, the actor-turned-artist knows what it’s like to suffer under the public eye and to emerge from the wreckage stronger. ByJordan Baker

Read more

\ Exhibitions featuring Dee Smart

Dee Smart

Suspended Embrace

29 September — 15 October 2022

SMALL WORKS SALON

Group Exhibition

14 August — 28 August 2021

Dee Smart

In the Balance

10 June — 19 June 2021

9 x 5"

Group Exhibition

22 January — 6 February 2021

MYTH

Group Exhibition

5 August — 22 August 2020

Dee Smart

A Synopsis of Love

21 November — 14 December 2019

SPRING SHOW

Group Exhibition

10 September — 15 September 2019

Contact Us

to find out more about Dee Smart.

12 - 14 Meagher Street Chippendale, NSW 2008
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday, 11am - 4pm