Born in America, Kim Smith spent ten formative childhood years living in Germany. Her work is meant to be intimate and thought-provoking, though one sometimes finds a humorous element within the frame. As a result of her parents dragging her to flea markets and museums throughout Europe, she is influenced by the Dada, Bauhaus, and Wiener Werkstätte movements, as well as Russian Constructivism. Smith feels that working with vintage and antique materials brings authenticity to her work and allows her to share the beauty of her early experiences with the viewer. The glues and backing are archival, so as not to add to the natural aging process.

Her work delicately balances abstraction, a contemporary presentation, and the realism of text, and images. Embracing the absurdity and chance of Dada gives her freedom. From Bauhaus, she draws a profound appreciation for the harmony of form and function, integrating geometric shapes and clean lines to bring structural integrity to her compositions.

The Wiener Werkstätte's dedication to craftsmanship and the blending of fine and applied arts inspires her meticulous approach to materials and technique. Russian Constructivism’s avant-garde approach and emphasis on abstraction inform the dynamic interplay of shapes and forms. These all join, resulting in pieces that are aesthetically engaging, filled with subtle details and reward careful observation.

Smith has earned degrees in Design, Economics, and an MBA. She splits her time between her art studio at Hunters Point Shipyard and the myriad other things she does to cobble together a livelihood in San Francisco. She loves to spend days exploring galleries and museums and those experiences can have an overwhelming impact that makes her want to produce her own work.