David Smith
American, 1940-

Untitled, 1985
painted wood, plastic, and ceramic tiles

SBMA, Gift of Barry Berkus and family in memory of Gail Berkus
2003.124.10

COMMENTS

Soon after graduating from high school, David Smith joined the Marines and shipped out to Vietnam. The war was for him a "first trauma" that he repeats "over and over again" in his work. Through his paintings he is trying to claim and reorder some of the chaos of that time.

"Chance was horribly and palpably real in Vietnam. My paintings contain violence, not that of napalm or white phosphorus or claymore mines, but the violence of crucifxsion or martyrdom. The violence does not repel, so the viewer can contemplate and recognize my acts of memory. The viewer will know that I am his memory of the war, and that he must not forget me."

David Smith draws on this life-changing experience as a source material for his art. Comprised of painted tiles, this work conjures images of military camouflage, helicopters, fighter jets and colorful medals of honor.