The Soul of Matter

The Soul of Matter is the first exhibition curated by Luan Gallery’s recently appointed Curator and Programming Coordinator, Valeria Ceregini. It represents an opportunity to introduce Smith’s exclusive series of mixed media works which demonstrates the artists’ careful attention to materials. His practice is focused on the basis that art is accessible to everyone.  This new body of paintings explores the materiality of paint as a substance in itself. In so far as possible, references to external concrete objects have been eliminated (with the exception of titles) in an attempt to frame an interaction with colour and form which is not hinged upon comprehension of themes, ideas, or other times or places. 

The exhibition aims to stimulate the visitor to engage with colours, their essence and materiality which are featured in Smith’s paintings, works on paper and on clay. All the works were made exclusively for this exhibition and respond directly to the gallery space to create an interaction between the artworks and the surrounding environment which will activate the vibrancy of Derick’s palette inspired by Mannerism masters.

This solo show aims to also attract people with no knowledge of contemporary art and encourage them to engage with the bright colours and the use of paintings beyond traditional flat surface, as the paint is collapsing and dropping down over the frame. Derick’s paintings are presented in the gallery’s three exhibition spaces as installations creating new dialogues and interactions with the light and environment.