Online Gallery > Gertrude Smith

Gertrude Smith

Original Gallery

Gertrude Smith's techniques range from regional primitivism to mixed media abstractions, all of which are representative of her life in the Mississippi
countryside. Although it was not a conscious goal
to create a thematically unified body of work,
Gertrude’s art is cohesive in its tactility; and in
her nonobjective abstracts, the repetitive use of
raised lines border on an obsession to create
texture. Despite her lack of formal training,
Gertrude’s pieces portray her awareness of the
evolution of Southern art through artists such as
Marie Hull and Andrew Bucci, both of whom
she painted with at the Mississippi Arts Colony
in the 1950s.

Many of you will remember our December 2006 exhibition of over 100 pieces of Gertrude's work. It was the first time that her work was displayed in a gallery space, and the entire family came to celebrate her success. Although she had been painting all of her life, only within the last few years has she gained recognition-- from write-ups in Mississippi Magazine and Southeast newspapers to state-wide sales of her beautiful art.

Sadly, Gertrude passed away on April 9, 2007 after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. The family contacted us immediately to put a hold on the sale of her art, but we will keep her images on our website for those who are interested in seeing her work. Gertrude's family is in the process of building a gallery in her hometown of Collins, MS to house her 800+ pieces. Please contact us at 601-982-4844 with any questions regarding Gertrude's art.