New York to Key West

Why a trip from New York City to Key West?

Many famous artists, presidents and other celebrities have been irresistibly drawn to Key West for the inspiration it provides. They have returned year after year to pursue the fishing, light or pilgrimages of other special elements of the rich environment.

The creative trend began shortly after Key West's settlement in the early 1800s, with the arrival of John James Audubon. During his visit, he added 19 new species to his monumental work, "Birds of America." Audubon was followed by Winslow Homer, who created his well-known series of marine watercolors, and by Frederick Remington, known for action-oriented paintings and sculptures. Even former president Dwight Eisenhower was moved to begin painting during a sojourn to Key West in the 1950's. The literary world contributed the talents of Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and many Pulitzer Prize winning writers to the creative legacy of the island.

Therefore, in the grand tradition of the migration of these artists, Mark T. Smith made his modern day “Pilgrimage to Paradise”, originating from the art capital of the world, New York City, and driving down the eastern seaboard to Key West, Florida.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I embrace the universal, the archetypal, those things that speak to the movement and energy within each of us. That is why I choose to participate in projects like the Cow Parade (New York City, 2000). It is the main reason I came up with the idea to drive a PT Cruiser to my art opening in Key West. Instead of art being sequestered in museums, I’m trying to bring it out into the open, where everyone has as chance to see it.

I painted two Chrysler PT Cruisers. I drove one to the opening in Florida. This hand painted art piece was then auctioned for the benefit of a charity called OPERATION SMILE. For more information about this charity you can link to http://www.operationsmile.org

PILGRIMAGE TO PARADISE

The Pilgrimage to paradise was composed of three components.

First is the hand painted Chrysler PT Cruiser. This automobile is more than just the means of transportation – it was a vital piece of the exhibition. The rolling artwork set the tone for the trip - colorful, fun, and full of life – it will bring the exhibition to the entire East Coast. The Cruiser was the largest piece of artwork exhibited in the show. It is the rolling connection between the islands of Manhattan and Key West. You can view a color sketch of the PT Cruiser at the following location: http://www.marktsmith.com/keywest/PT.jpg

Second, the puzzle. The puzzle will be a sculpture of the island of Key West designed to fit perfectly into the rear cargo area of the Cruiser (with the rear seats removed). The sculpture is made up of eleven separate pieces. Each piece was shipped in advance to an artist in each of the states that the Pilgrimage will pass through. Each artist hand painted their state’s puzzle piece. As the Pilgrimage continued the puzzle was be completed. The eleven pieces of the puzzle represent the states that the PT Cruiser traveled through and the eleven district neighborhoods on the island of Key West. Several of the stops were at grade schools, high schools and college campuses.

The puzzle literally connects all of the states together, and is a testament to the depth of talent along this route and in this country. Each puzzle piece is a unique shape. Each piece of the puzzle exhibits the talents of an individual artist; therefore, the completed puzzle represents many different schools of thought and a wide variety of techniques.

Third, and most importantly, was the exhibition at The Gallery on Greene in Key West. The show included approximately 20 new paintings and 20 new drawings by Mark T. Smith. These paintings all dealt with the subject of a modern pilgrimage and were stylistically consistent with the hand painted PT Cruiser.