Josh Smith

Josh Smith

artist and entertainer

interview by BILL POWERS
portrait by SANDY KIM

 

BILL POWERS — Is it true that John Currin came to visit your college?
JOSH SMITH — Yes, I was an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee. I think it was 1997-98. He was already well known. He did a studio visit and seemed to like what I was up to. I was making these painted stages and painted flags on flagpoles. I like and respect his work a lot. It meant a lot to me.

BILL POWERS — Were you already doing the name paintings?
JOSH SMITH — Mostly they started after school. I was writing Joshua Smith back then. I did lots of different things. I did a whole bunch of Twin Towers paintings, but that was before they got knocked down. I was using my name in the paintings,…