“Creating new ideas is intuitive; it means not knowing what you’re looking for, but knowing when you see it.” – Barry Ross Smith

Barry Ross Smith is a contemporary New Zealand painter who explores realism through notions of perception and the empirical experience; knowledge gained through direct observation, experimentation, or practical experience, he explains, “I attempt to convey empirical experience, not by a visual relationship to the real world, but by attempting to create perceptual signals within a painting that convey my idea of our relationship to ourselves, to each other and to the world”. With a career spanning over 30 years, his paintings reflect a rich, introspective process that invites viewers into his complex inner world, where ideas and emotions coalesce into compelling visual narratives.

Smith sees painting as a conceptual process, where the idea behind a work is not visible in the final piece. He translates thoughts into visual language through the interplay of paint and form, creating surreal and whimsical works that reflect his investigation into human relationships and our place in the world. His works reflect personal and universal experiences, exploring the unspoken through perceptual signals in paint.

The creative process begins with sketching and research, often in quick, shorthand drawings that evolve into larger charcoal and acrylic compositions. Smith’s studio practice is intuitive, driven by the balance between mental exploration and physical execution. As he describes, “Creating new ideas is intuitive; it means not knowing what you’re looking for, but knowing when you see it.” In this way, his paintings are born from a deep emotional resonance with places and imagery, often drawing on nostalgic or dreamlike sensations.

Painting for Smith is a meditative journey, with each stroke building upon the last in a delicate balance between concealment and revelation. The final work culminates these intuitive decisions, reflecting the conceptual foundation and the artist’s journey. Smith likens the process to cooking, familiar with his materials; he mentally prepares for each canvas before beginning the physical work, ensuring the painting unfolds with intention and coherence.

Smith’s work is held in private, public, and corporate collections across New Zealand, Australia, Europe, North America, and Asia. He lives and works in Auckland where he continues to engage in a dialogue between his inner thoughts and the material world, offering audiences a glimpse into the abstract yet profoundly relatable landscapes of the mind.

Born:                         1964, Kamo, Northland, New Zealand

Lives:                         Auckland, New Zealand

Education:              Master of Fine Arts, 2011. Whitecliffe College of Arts, Auckland

Parnell Gallery has represented Barry Ross Smith for his limited edition prints since 2025.
View available limited edition prints here.