Artists

John Smith

Press release

_Being John Smith_ (2024) is the latest film by British artist John Smith, who has made a name for himself by focusing on the unspectacular. The film explores the meaning of being 'ordinary' or invisible in a neoliberal society that preaches the extraordinary. It weaves together Smith's life story, from academic failures to his rise as an avant-garde filmmaker, and reflects on contemporary world politics. The film employs humor rather than pathos, offering a sometimes political, sometimes touching exploration of everyday life filled with irony and honesty. Smith's films unfold at the intersection of conceptual art, structural film, and documentary, revolving around his own life and immediate surroundings. In _Being John Smith_, mysterious covered buildings appear multiple times, symbolizing the living conditions in Hackney, East London, where Smith resides. The film also features personal anecdotes and reflections on the nature of art and life itself.