Artistic Family Tree: Kiki Smith

Best known for her depictions of the human form, Kiki Smith has explored a range of subjects from natural science to mythology.  Often intimate, universal, earthly, frank, non heroic terms expressing its dual aspects of vulnerability and strength. The human body- both in anatomical fragments and in full figure- is at the heart of Smith's work. " I think I chose it as a subject because it is the one form that we all share" she says. It's something that everybody has their own authentic experience with."

Her earliest works investigated its forms and functions, which she articulated through individual parts, suggesting flesh with delicate handmade papers and fashioning internal organs and systems from fragile materials such as glass, papier maché, terra cotta, and plaster.  In the early 90's she gained widespread attention for  her life size figures in wax and bronze depicting female naked bodies in disturbing and visceral poses.

Smith's work had long has long addressed the ambiguous and difficult relationship between female artists and feminist issues.  In pieces that merge human and animal, she creates new mythologies, finding in the morality that has pervaded so much of her process the possibility of rebirth.  In her art, Smith has staged a persistent inquiry that has resulted in works of uncommon power and beauty, inviting us the re-examine ourselves, our history and our place in the world.
http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2003/kikismith/