Sheila Smith_Walking Alone.jpg

Shelia Smith- Affiliate

Walking Alone

2010. Digital Photograph on canvas mounted on wood, Ed. of 5. 16 x 20 in.

City Bus

2010. Digital photograph on canvas mounted on wood, Ed. of 5. 20 × 16 in.

Lincoln Center

2010. Digital Photograph on canvas mounted on wood, Ed. of 5. 16 × 20 in.

Purple Walk

2010 Digital photograph on canvas mounted on wood. Ed. of 5. 20 × 16 in.

Red Bag

2010. Digital photograph on canvas mounted on wood, Ed. of 5. 15.75 × 19.75 in.

Walking Alone

2010. Digital photograph on canvas mounted on wood, Ed. of 5. 16 × 20 in.

Walking Alone

Lincoln Center

Red Bag

Walking Alone

Sheila Smith

Artist Statement

Sheila Smith is a photographer whose work embraces a wide range of subjects, from portraits and New York City streets to European cities, flowers, still lifes, tango dancers, children, and discarded objects.

Smith approaches photography as both observation and transformation. Taking the photograph is only the beginning; she considers the computer her contemporary darkroom, using Photoshop to alter, enhance, and reinterpret her images. Her photographs of trash—seen through plastic bags or from inside waste disposal baskets—bring particular attention to overlooked moments and everyday materials.

Rather than limiting herself to a single subject or style, Smith works as a “generalist,” allowing curiosity and observation to guide her practice. Her images reflect a lifelong fascination with capturing moments and finding visual interest in both the extraordinary and the easily overlooked.

Biography

Sheila Smith is a New York-based photographer whose interest in photography began at age thirteen with a Brownie box camera. Her early photographs documented everyday moments and established a lifelong interest in the camera as a means of observation.

During the 1960s, Smith worked as secretary to the creative director of Columbia Records, where she was given responsibility for reviewing photographers’ portfolios for potential assignments. Through this experience, she encountered the work of influential photographers including Gary Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, and Gordon Parks.

Smith went on to study advertising concept and design at the School of Visual Arts and became an art director, continuing to work closely with leading photographers, including Richard Avedon. She later studied photography at The New School while also pursuing drawing and painting at the Art Students League.

Although she painted for many years, Smith continued photographing and eventually devoted herself to photography full time in 1997. Her practice now encompasses portraits, urban photography, travel, flowers, still lifes, dancers, children, and images of discarded objects.

Working digitally, Smith treats the computer as a contemporary darkroom, using Photoshop as an integral part of her creative process. Her photographs of trash viewed through plastic bags and waste disposal baskets extend her interest toward overlooked subjects and unexpected perspectives.