Michael Smither
Encyclopedia
Michael Duncan Smither, CNZM
(29 October 1939) is a New Zealand
painter
and composer
.
He was born in New Plymouth
and was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School
and Elam School of Fine Arts
, Auckland
. While studying he worked part-time in a car spray-paint shop, an occupation which introduced Smither to the use of lacquer-based paints.
In 1959, Smither returned to New Plymouth, working part-time in arts-related jobs. His first solo exhibition was in 1961. In 1963 he married Elizabeth Harrington, who is better known as New Zealand Poet Elizabeth Smither
. The two have three children, Sarah, Thomas and Joseph.
Smither separated from Elizabeth and eventually divorced. For a few years he was married to Rachel McAlpine
, a writer.
Smither now lives at Otama beach on the Coromandel Peninsula
.
Smither was also influenced by Rita Angus
and Lois White
as he was studying. He turned to them for inspiration.
His first solo exhibition was in 1961.
Smither was the recipient of the 1970 Frances Hodgkins Fellowship
from the University of Otago
. He is the patron of community art gallery "Real Tart" in New Plymouth.http://tact.org.nz/realtart.htm
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
(29 October 1939) is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
He was born in New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
and was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School
New Plymouth Boys' High School
New Plymouth Boys' High School is a single-sex boys' state secondary school in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. It was founded in 1882 and celebrated its 125th Jubilee in 2007....
and Elam School of Fine Arts
Elam School of Fine Arts
The Elam School of Fine Arts, founded in 1890 by John Edward Elam is a part of Auckland University. Students study degrees in fine art with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach.-History:...
, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. While studying he worked part-time in a car spray-paint shop, an occupation which introduced Smither to the use of lacquer-based paints.
In 1959, Smither returned to New Plymouth, working part-time in arts-related jobs. His first solo exhibition was in 1961. In 1963 he married Elizabeth Harrington, who is better known as New Zealand Poet Elizabeth Smither
Elizabeth Smither
Elizabeth Smither MNZM is a New Zealand poet and writer.She worked as a librarian.-Awards:* 2002 Te Mata Poet Laureate.* 2000 Montana New Zealand Book Award for Poetry* 2008 Prime Minister's Award for poetry....
. The two have three children, Sarah, Thomas and Joseph.
Smither separated from Elizabeth and eventually divorced. For a few years he was married to Rachel McAlpine
Rachel McAlpine
Rachel Phyllis McAlpine is a writer and web content strategist. She is the author of 30 books including poetry, plays, novels, and books about writing. Since 1996 she has trained people how to write business content for a digital and electronic world...
, a writer.
Smither now lives at Otama beach on the Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula lies in the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Waikato Region and Thames-Coromandel District and extends 85 kilometres north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier to protect the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west...
.
Smither was also influenced by Rita Angus
Rita Angus
Rita Angus was a New Zealand painter born in Hastings. Along with Colin McCahon and Toss Woollaston, she is credited as one of the leading figures in twentieth century New Zealand art...
and Lois White
Lois White
Anna Lois White , known in the art world as Lois White, was a New Zealand painter of the modernist school. She taught at the Elam Art School of the University of Auckland from 1927 until 1963....
as he was studying. He turned to them for inspiration.
Work
Smither works in a variety of media - notably oils, acrylics, and screenprint - and on a variety of subjects. Domestic life is a major theme of many of his works, these scenes depicted with a rigorous yet idiosyncratic realism. A similar style is brought to his landscapes, many of which depict the Taranaki landscape around which he grew up. At least two of his paintings, The Family in the Van and Rocks with Mountain http://www.prints.co.nz/page/fine-art/CTGY/Artists_Smither_Michael have attained the status of iconic paintings in New Zealand.His first solo exhibition was in 1961.
Smither was the recipient of the 1970 Frances Hodgkins Fellowship
Frances Hodgkins Fellowship
The Frances Hodgkins Fellowship, established in 1962, is one of New Zealand's premier arts residencies. The list of past fellows includes many of New Zealand's most notable artists.The position is based at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand...
from the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
. He is the patron of community art gallery "Real Tart" in New Plymouth.http://tact.org.nz/realtart.htm
Music compositions
- 21 Piano Pieces (1968–1978)
- Four Pieces for violin and viola (1974)
- Geometric Scores for piano (1975, revised 1976)
- Polyphonic Chords for four players (1980); originally intended for 4 cellos
- Cello for Pamela Gray for solo cello (1981)
- "hello i cool" for flute sole (1952)