Bodyworks

LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW
”…lavish illustrations of Smith’s body-conscious pieces accompany text discussing his education and partnerships and encounters with artists from different genres and how the Harlem Renaissance and jazz music influenced his work…Readers will be moved by Smith’s pursuit of art education, saddened and enraged by the racism and violence he endured, and inspired by his jewelry, each a piece of art. VERDICT This exploration of history through the life of an artist is superb.”

BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW
“The real stars here are the more than 90 color plates and many previously unpublished sketches of the designs for some of his signature pieces. Greenbaum notes that Smith regarded the body as an important design element and photographs of models wearing his dramatic, kinetic necklaces and bracelets underscore the close relationship between the jewelry and the wearer that inspired the book’s title. Supplementary material, including a chronology of events from Smith’s life and career and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources, encourage further research. A visually stunning introduction to an artist whose work deserves wider recognition.”

FOREWORD REVIEWS
“The stark page layouts serve as virtual museum cases, while the copper background on incidental pages is apt for the metal art…The dynamic art book Bodyworks spotlights Art Smith’s statement jewelry and quiet countercultural life.”

Joanne Hyppolite is the Assistant Director for Culture at The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. She is also the curator of the Cultural Expressions permanent exhibition, which showcases Art Smith’s work. Under her direction, the museum has acquired two major archival collections on Art Smith.

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