Al Smith

After watching a demonstration by the renowned Nigerian sculptor Lamidi Fakeye, Al Smith saw ways to link the rhythmic qualities of music to the creation of visual art. Initially he experienced Fakeye's art through the rhythmic acts of carving and later, after traveling to Ibadan, Nigeria, in the mid-1970s, through study in Fakeye's workshop. In recent years Smith has learned to extend his understanding of rhythm to visual forms in his work and has added calligraphic gestural marks learned from the Chinese practice of tai chi chuan. He combines rhythm, pattern and metaphysical meanings in his work and expresses himself through carving, making musical instruments, painting and fabricating mixed-media constructions.

After receiving a master's degree from Boston University, Smith began teaching at Howard University, Washington, D.C., a position he has held since 1972.

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