Allison Smith

Allison Smith's diverse practice investigates the cultural phenomenon of historical reenactment, or living history, using it as a means of addressing the relationship between American history, social activism, craft, and queer identity. Smith uses history as an aesthetic palette to produce performative sculptures and public events that provoke new forms of popular militancy by encouraging participants to "take history into their own hands." Many of her works play with tradition by transforming commemorative forms of sculpture into monumental children's toys: hundreds of wooden rifles, life-size costumed porcelain dolls, a hobbyhorse, and a series of donkey pull-toys, for example.

Smith has exhibited her work at numerous venues including P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New York; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Arario Gallery, South Korea; Studio Voltaire, London; Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art; Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; University of California, Berkeley Art Museum; Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh; Indianapolis Museum of Art; Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and many others.

Additional website(s):
www.notionnanny.net
www.themuster.com