BIO
Kerem SmithStone (b. 1995, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) is a contemporary fine arts painter based in New York, NY, USA. Working primarily with oil paints on canvas and linen, SmithStone is best known for his enigmatic portraiture featuring African characters depicted in relaxed, carefree postures, often accompanied by a bird perched atop their heads. His work also explores surrealist depictions of colorful African masks, rendered with a multitude of expressions, merging cultural symbolism with a dreamlike aesthetic that evokes both cultural pride and universal human emotion.
SmithStone’s practice is deeply rooted in themes of African liberation, the glory and resilience of Ethiopians, and a profound, symbiotic relationship with the Earth. His paintings invite contemplation on humanity’s connection to its only home—the planet we inhabit. Key projects in his oeuvre include The Upperyardian Show (2021), where he developed his distinctive portrayal of figures as symbols of freedom and liberation; The Cloud Singers (2023), which expanded his focus from individual portraits to dynamic collective scenes, offering a cinematic perspective on Ethiopian and African liberation; and Raushe (2024), a series delving into Afro-surrealism and mythology, culminating in the creation of "The World of Monar," an imaginative realm from which all his characters and narratives now emerge, giving his work a cohesive and immersive narrative dimension.
Kerem SmithStone’s work has been exhibited at Edge Gallery (Boulder, CO, USA), The Wild Project (New York, NY, USA), Cherry Creek Art Labs (Denver, CO, USA), NOBO Art Center (Boulder, CO, USA), and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (Boulder, CO, USA). His paintings are held in various private collections worldwide. SmithStone has been an active member of Edge Gallery in Denver (2022–2024) and was recognized as a featured artist by Shoutout Colorado in 2024, solidifying his reputation as a distinctive voice in contemporary art.
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Born in 1995 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Resides and works in NYC, United States
Selected Exhibitions:
2025, Birds of a Feather Show (group exhibition) Brooklyn Black Arts, New York, NY
2025, For the Diaspora (group exhibition) African American Art Fair, Nyack, New York
2025, Colorful Masks of Festival (solo exhibition) Cherry Creek Art Labs, Denver, Colorado
2024, Light Blue Bench (solo exhibition) NOBO Art Center Boulder, Colorado
2024, Mi Muna (musume open wall) Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, Colorado
2024, Rausch (dule exhibition) NOBO Art Center, Boulder, Colorado
2024, Black is Beautiful, Black is Everything (solo show) Luci Galleria, Long Beach, California
2024, The Upper Yaard Show, (group exhibition) Tint Fine Arts LA, California
2023, Annual Juried Show, (group exhibition) Edge Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2023, Cloud Singers Show,( Group Exhibition) Edge Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2023, Black Artist Spring Showcase, (group exhibition) Aurora Gallery, Aurora , Colorado
2023, Banished, (Solo exhibition) Revolt Art Gallery, Taos, New Mexico
2023, CLOUD SINGER (musume open wall) Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, Colorado
2022, Upperyardian Show (solo Exhibition) The Wild Project New York City, NY
2022, Art for Art's Sake (Group Showing) NOBO Art Center, Boulder, Colorado
2022, Libration Art Day (Group Showing) Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado
2022, Rise Africa (Group Showing) NOBO Art Center, Boulder, Colorado
2021, Treasure Farmers Show (solo exhibition) Art of the West Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2021, Kogi and Hatsfu (musume open wall) Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder Colorado
2021, I Abyssinian (Group exhibition) Ethiopian Artist of America, Washington DC, USA