Leslie Smith III - Locus of Control

"Locus of Control reconsiders the causal-relationship between my philosophical and social concerns, namely, the resulting image and viewing experience. I have delved deeper into creating image-objects that provoke perceived experiences and collectively share a consciousness of ones willingness to alter personal perception in order to correct how difference is seen. I intend to create viewing experiences, which represent the possibility of empowering viewers to change perspective".

• Leslie Smith III

Maus Contemporary is excited to announce the exhibition Leslie Smith III Locus of Control, the artist’s second solo exhibition at the gallery.

Locus of Control investigates the degree to which people believe they have control over the outcome of events in their lives, as opposed to exterior forces outside their control. Formally, this project explores unique and individual viewing experiences that challenge how we understand ourselves in relationship to those around us.
Referencing the history of Black abstraction the subjects of these inquiries reflect intentions to politicize abstraction in the interest of suggesting perception as a defining factor in our cultural affair with otherness. I have produced a series of works where shaped oil paintings redefine the space of the wall with conflicting tangential parings. The pursuit being, to generate works that exhibits the social agency of abstraction while simultaneously contributing to the contemporary discourse within the broader art world.

As a series of paintings, Locus of Control exhibits distinct spaces not dependent upon traditional three-dimensional perspectives. I’ve begun to fracture singular shaped canvases into multiple shapes that relate to each other tangentially. Connected to each other at points, they shift, lean and pull away from each other, at times creating voids and linear creases, forged when two adjacent panels are bolted together. The viewing experience abets the prospect of uncoupling previous histories from identifying unfamiliar forms.

Locus of Control opens at Maus Contemporary on March 17, and runs through April 21, 2017.
The opening reception will be hosted at the gallery from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, March 17, with Leslie Smith III in attendance. High resolution images of the exhibition are available through the gallery.

Maus Contemporary / beta pictoris gallery is a contemporary art gallery and space dedicated to supporting creativity with a focus on experimental and issue driven works. Through representing emerging, established, and internationally recognized artists, the gallery is committed to bringing a global perspective to contemporary issues and practices across the visual arts. The program consists of exhibitions, print publications, and media outreach.