Corey Smith

Corey Smith could have answered my questions truthfully. Corey Smith could have also made up everything on the fly. The only thing I really know is true about Mr. Smith is that he is a pro snowboarder and an artist. His images are clean and graphic. His message is clear – everything is pretty fucked up, innit? Fan of Banksey? Fan of Corey Smith. Give it a go.

How old are you?

17

Do you have any tattoos?

Yes.

What are they all about?

My crappy life.

Where is it that you’re from?

Portland, aka puddlesville, aka dead end city,

Where do you live now?

NE Portland.

How do you think that's effected your work?

Well, the rents cheap so that effects what I can produce.

Favorite color (while we're at it)?

Pink.

Got any obsessions/addictions you want to talk about?

Speed not weed, that's what my Dad always told me.

How did you begin?

I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I started showing my work in galleries a little over four years ago. I just decided I didn't care what anyone thought and would start showing my work to curators and try to get shows. I didn't really have any connections or anything, I just went door to door.

Where did you go to school?

I went to the Pacific Northwest College of Art. I have a BFA in photography.

From where/what do you draw your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from everything around me. American culture, celebrity culture, anything I think is compelling and funny.

What specific points of American culture inspires you?

Excess, greed, celebrity obsession, ignorance, patriotism. If Paris Hilton was driving a Nascar that would really sum it up.

How long have you been marketing your art?

I made a portfolio four years ago and just started with that.

Done any shows lately? or else, has your art been published?

I've shown art every month for the past six months. I'm taking this month off to create new work for a show I have in Sept. at the Backspace Gallery here in Portland. So far this year I had a interview in FHM UK and Mean magazine, and I just had a 14 pg. interview come out in Frequency magazine. I feel very fortunate, like there's a light at the end of the tunnel and my work is finally getting out there.

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