Howard Smith Retrospective at EMMA Explores Finnish Art and Design Legacy
At the Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA), there's a significant exhibition titled 'Howard Smith: Retrospective 1965–2010,' which celebrates the influential journey of African American artist Howard Smith, who made a mark on Finnish art and design. Born in the U.S. in 1928, Smith initially visited Finland in the 1960s but chose to stay, developing a varied body of work that includes ceramics, textiles, and more. His partnerships with architects and public art initiatives helped blend his distinctive patterns into Finnish homes, fusing art with everyday design. Running until February 7, 2027, this retrospective highlights Smith's contributions to Finnish modernism and features works by contemporary artist Sasha Huber and designer Ervin Latimer.
Key facts
- Exhibition: 'Howard Smith: Retrospective 1965–2010' at EMMA (Espoo Museum of Modern Art)
- Howard Smith was an African American artist born in 1928 in the United States
- Smith arrived in Finland in the 1960s and stayed, developing a decades-long practice
- His practice included ceramics, textiles, sculpture, collage, drawing, and paper cutting
- He collaborated with architects and created works for public spaces
- Smith designed for Vallila (textiles) and Arabia (ceramics), bringing his patterns into Finnish homes
- The retrospective spans work from the 1960s to the 2000s
- Exhibition features commissioned works by Sasha Huber and Ervin Latimer
- Exhibition on view until 7 February 2027
Entities
Artists
- Howard Smith
- Sasha Huber
- Ervin Latimer
Institutions
- Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA)
- Vallila
- Arabia
- EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
Locations
- Espoo
- Finland
- United States
- New Jersey