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Light Work x Autograph Artist-in-Residence
Marie Smith is the Autograph x Light Work artist in residence for 2025. Smith will use the opportunity to develop The Wanderer, a body of work featuring a character amongst differing landscapes, exploring issues of nature, belonging, climate change and identity.
Every year, Autograph teams up with Light Work in Syracuse, New York – a non-profit, artist-run organisation providing direct support to emerging and under-represented artists working in photography. Autograph selects an artist to go on a residency at Light Work’s studios to pursue their personal projects: an exhibition, publication, printing, or even just space to think. They are provided with travel expenses, a stipend for living and production, a private darkroom, an apartment, and 24-hour access to Light Work’s photo and computer lab facilities. The residency has been running annually since 1996. This year, Autograph and Light Work are supporting two artists to undertake the residency; Marie Smith will be joined in residence by artist Sabrina Tirvengadum.
Marie Smith (she/they) is a neurodivergent visual artist and writer born, living and working in London. Smith graduated in 2017 with an MA in History in Art with Photography at Birkbeck, University of London.
Being a neurodivergent person with dyspraxia and anxiety has informed how they navigate the world. Smith’s practice incorporates audio, digital and analogue media alongside text to address issues of identity, the body, nature, sustainability, mental health and well-being. They process their analogue film using low-toxic, plant-based developers. Since this methodology is not transferable to colour film, Smith now works mostly with black and white and camera-less film processes.
Smith is a Lecturer at Kingston University London and has previously lectured at Goldsmiths - University of London, and London College of Communication - UAL. She is currently working with Folium Publishing to produce a limited edition of Extraction: In Conversation with Anna Atkins, based on the bespoke book that was made as part of her residency at Horniman Museum and Gardens.
Her work has been exhibited at Peckham 24 and their commissions have featured in WIRED US, FT Weekend Magazine and BJP Portrait of Britain Award. In January 2024, Smith exhibited at London Art Fair – Photo 50 in London which was curated by Revolv Collective.
Banner image: Marie Smith, from the series The Wanderer [detail], London, 2021, © and courtesy the artist.
Images on page: 1) Marie Smith, from the series The Wanderer, Spain, 2023, © and courtesy the artist. 2) Marie Smith, from the series The Wanderer, New Forest, 2022, © and courtesy the artist. 3) Marie Smith, from the series The Wanderer, London, 2021, © and courtesy the artist.
About the artist: Marie Smith, Horniman Gardens, London 2023, © Anselm Ebulue.
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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