Rosie Anne Smith Artist from Birmingham, England
Photo: Michael Orth
Rosie is an artist from Birmingham, England. Together with Helena Park she graduated with a BA in Fine Art from Falmouth University.
Since her residency in 2019 at Cornelia's farm in California, Rosie spent the covid years in Australia. Compared to most places, she had quite a nice experience and once the restrictions lifted she began travelling around the coast of Australia, finally settling in Perth where Rosie worked in a family run art gallery called Future Shelter and painted in her home studio.
She then moved home in 2022 and began working as a product photographer. Alongside this Rosie has been studying an MA in Preventive Conservation and continuing her art practice.
We had this interview with Rosie in 2019.
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Photo: Michael Orth
When did you start making art?
I started making artwork during college. I'd chosen to study analogue photography. And loved it. I loved the way you could manipulate the light, composition, even the contact sheets were visually intriguing. And over the years this has spread over different mediums. I now focus my energy on painting, but still lean back on photographs as inspiration.
Photo: Michael Orth
How did the opportunity for you to come to Cornelia's farm come about?
A good friend and artist, Helena Park, had originally got in touch with Cornelia with regards to the residency and invited me along. It was a gamble for Cornelia to have me stay and work as we had never met beforehand. I'm very thankful she took that gamble.
Photo: Michael Orth
How has your stay been, and did you find inspiration for your work?
My time in Malibu was magical, the property and people have an incredible affect on you. Amongst the midst of this beautiful, calming landscape, there's an air of rebellion and so much life. I found myself challenging my work each day. What was the driving force? What should it say? Does it need to say anything? These are all questions I would not have been able to answer, if it wasn't for my time and the conversations I had at the farm. And since, I've noticed my artwork change entirely. That stay gave me the understanding I needed.
Photo: Michael Orth
What will you take away from this experience?
Not to sound like a complete romantic, but the absolute necessity for art. It allows a space for us all to understand and express humanity. Art lifts the heart, saddens it and compels us to act. Or even for the simplicity of making something look visually stunning. It's needed, and I'm very excited to somewhat be a part of the conversation.
