The creatively versatile, artist and designer Howard Smith (b. 1928) has lived in my neighborhood in Fiskars for more than twenty years. It is a pleasure for me to show his art ceramics at the winter exhibition in KWUM.
Howard Smith moved from the United States to Finland in the 1960’s. He has made himself known for his far-reaching ability as an artist and designer. No material has constrained his artistic capacity. He has expressed his colorful worldview to the Finns by, among other things depicting our folklore subjects and objects. By breathing life into abandoned scrap iron, his work exudes joy, humor and whimsy.
The textiles he designed for Vallila in the 60’s and then in the ceramics in the 80’s for Arabia are still popular. Over the decades, he has managed to carry out a number of commissions for public spaces. Before settling in Fiskars, he worked with his wife Erna Aaltonen, in his own studio in Tervakoski.
In 2001, Howard Smith was awarded the State Design Prize and from 2003 he has received a state artist pension. This year, Ateneum has expanded its collections with several works by Howard Smith.
The KWUM Museum’s exhibition, HOWARD SMITH Ceramic Art, displays his unique works in ceramics, all from the last decade.
Photo: Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom
