Bob and Roberta Smith

born in 1963 in London, UK; lives and works in London, UK

Bob and Roberta Smith makes art that carries social and political messages and seek to democratise the creation of art. Bob and Roberta Smith believes that art plays a powerful role in democratic systems, both as a forum for free speech and as a workshop to explore new futures. Smith has been focusing on issues surrounding mental health and feminism in his work. One of the most important exhibitions that Bob and Roberta Smith has been involved in is The Life of the Mind, held at The New Art Gallery Walsall from January to March 2011. Besides, Bob and Roberta Smith has exhibited extensively internationally and recent shows include, This is How we are Going to Change the World. I Should be in Charge, Hales Gallery, London, 2010, I Was Up All Night Making This, Cezare Manzo Gallery, Rome, 2009. Bob and Roberta Smith is an Honorary Fellow at the University of the Arts Bournemouth.
The piece is about the British coalition government and their closure of libraries all over the country Bob and Roberta Smith wonder what will happen to all of the books when libraries close. The image of book burning brings to mind connotations of Kristallnacht in 1938 and this destruction of creativity is both fascinating and terrifying to the artist.

What do contemporary people need art for?
Art is the principle means by which humanity defines itself. Human beings are cultural entities and everything in the world that has been made by humans has been considered visually. Everything is made.

Why do you create art?
I create art because I am absolutely no good at anything else.