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Keir Smith

Extensive collection of sculptor Keir Smith’s (1950-2007) sketchbooks, correspondence, photos and more, giving an insight into both his artistic practice and work as a teacher.

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About the artist

Keir Smith (1950-2007) studied at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (1969-73) and Chelsea School of Art, London (1973-75). He lived and worked in London and Suffolk, teaching at Wimbledon College of Art.

Smith exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions in the UK and completed many commissions for sculptures for public and landscape sites in the 1980s and 90s, including Grizedale Forest, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Henrietta House, London (Public Art Development Trust) and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.

What’s in the collection?

The Keir Smith archive is extensive and comprehensive, comprising of sketchbooks, drawings, correspondence, photographs, published works and texts, slides, exhibition publicity materials, a selection of Smith’s personal books and source materials.

The sketchbooks, of which there is a complete set of 121 dating from c. 1965 – 2007, contain a wealth of information including notes, sketches and references. There are also over 350 sketches and paintings by the artist.

His work is recorded in detail in photographs and slides, including many images of works when exhibited. These are completed by papers and correspondence relating to exhibitions and commissions. His teaching at Wimbledon College of Art is also documented in the form of teaching notes and correspondence.

The exhibition Keir Smith: From Wall to Floor (Sculpture Study Galleries, 21st March 2013 – 23rd June 2013) was curated to celebrate the acquisition of Keir Smith’s archive in 2012. The exhibition used materials from the archive together with works on paper and sculptures by Keir Smith, which now also form part of the Leeds Museums and Galleries Sculpture Collection.

Search the archive catalogue

Find more information about the Keir Smith archive in our online catalogue.

Search the archive catalogue

National Life Stories recordings

National Life Stories was established in 1987 to document the lives of people living in Britain. Housed at the British Library, the Artists’ Lives series provides a unique resource for those exploring the lives of artists within the wider context of British society.

In these two extracts, Keir Smith considers the central role of drawing in his practice, and describes his transition from painting into sculpture. The full interviews are available in the research library, alongside those of many other sculptors.

Research library special collections

The library has a significant collection of rare catalogues, journals and artists’ books, dating from the nineteenth century through to the present day.

Ceres (fifteen burnt images)

This artist’s book consists of fifteen prints in a cloth covered board folder. It was self-published by Keir Smith in August 1980 ahead of his 1981 exhibition at the Spectro Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The research for this work took place during an artist residency at Grizedale Arts in 1979-80, where Smith explored the ways in which humans have modified and cultivated the landscape. The title of the work, Ceres, refers to the Roman Goddess of agriculture and the celestial body named after her.

Find out more about the research library special collections