About Mark Antony Steelsmith

As an artist and animator, I create under the name Mark Antony Smith, exploring themes of memory, mental health, and the interplay between imagination and reality. Based in New Zealand, my work spans animation, painting, and installation, bringing personal and collective narratives to life in evocative visual forms.

Education and Artistic Journey

My artistic journey began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Whanganui Regional Community Polytechnic in 1999, where I focused on painting, animation, and video production. I went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Graphic Design in 2000 and later a Master of Fine Arts at Massey University in 2017. This formal education has allowed me to blend traditional techniques with digital experimentation in my creative practice.

Over the years, my work has been featured in exhibitions across New Zealand, including Blackdog:failure (Toi Pōneke Gallery, 2015), Imperial Ghosts (LUX Light Festival, 2017), and my latest painting exhibition, Echoes of Tomorrow (Space Studio Gallery, 2023).

Artistic Practice

I approach my work with a mix of spontaneity and careful craftsmanship. My animations, often created without storyboards, allow stories to emerge organically, while my paintings explore themes of memory, imagination, and cultural reflection. My international work includes Invisible Prague, which was showcased at the 2019 Prague Quadrennial, combining animation and sculpture inspired by the memories of others.

Key Themes

Recurring themes in my work include mental health, explored in Blackdog:failure, and the interplay between memory and imagination, as seen in The Lost Futures Exchange and Invisible Prague. Through these projects, I aim to engage audiences in shared narratives while reflecting on deeply personal experiences.

Commissions and Sales

In addition to my exhibitions, selected paintings are available for purchase, and I welcome inquiries for commissions for paintings, animations or model houses. Please reach out via the contact page for more details.