Work by William Jihrel Smith

My recent work explores social and political issues, specifically cultural appropriation, cultural assimilation, and transculturation. Often referencing the Western canon, my work investigates the varying relationships between imagery and cultural identity. Engaging in varied subject matter such as African American hair, 17th Century Dutch Portraiture, and physiognomy, my work blurs the line between contemporary issues and the history from which said matters originate. My choice of materials, processes, and styles differ depending on each project, but my practice is consistent and artworks are linked by formal concerns and subject matter.