Byron Smith (b. 1963, North Carolina) lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. In 2008, Smith joined LAND Studio and Gallery, and in his early work, repetitively drew gorillas and robots with their arms held out, toting objects such as flowers and basketballs. In 2013, Smith began to turn his attention towards the glossy pages of fashion magazines, selecting a different “model” to feature in each drawing. Smith continues to invent new ways of drawing elaborate portraits and stylized figures in a variety of media, and in his recent work, has begun exploring narrative through scenes from both in-person entertainment (the circus) and religion.

In New York, Smith has exhibited at the Outsider Art Fair, the Museum of Modern Art’s Cullman Education Building, and LAND Studio & Gallery, among others. His first solo show was in 2018 at Institute 193 in Kentucky.