Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool

About This Work

In "Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool," created in 2022, Nick Smith, the Scottish-born contemporary artist, continues his innovative exploration of art-historical reinterpretation through the medium of prints. Smith's technique is both meticulous and inspired—an analogue mosaic crafted from thousands of hand-cut, Pantone-style colour swatches. Each swatch carries a piece of text: a song lyric, a quotation, or a snippet of dialogue, which when read up close transforms into a narrative layer that deeply examines the piece’s subject. This methodology captures Smith's ability to converge literary and visual narratives, inviting viewers to engage with the art on dual planes. The title "Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool" pays homage to one of art history's most iconic images, suggesting a playful, yet reverent, nod to David Hockney's renowned scenes of Californian pools. Smith's reinterpretation operates not as a mere replica but as a dynamic dialogue between past and present artistic expressions. From afar, Smith's chromatic arrangement coalesces into a striking image reminiscent of Hockney's sunlit, splash-filled compositions. Yet, as one draws nearer, the intricate text embedded within each colour chip emerges, adding layers of storytelling and interpretation unique to Smith's vision. Smith's broader practice is characterized by this distinctive blend of colour and text, bridging the realms of visual art and written word. His works often reference a diverse range of subjects, from pop culture icons to mythologized everyday scenes, thus engaging a wide spectrum of art historical and contemporary contexts. By situating his art within this vibrant interplay, Smith challenges the viewer to reconcile the immediate, perceptual impact of the image with the intimate, introspective nature of its textual elements. "Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool" epitomizes Smith's masterful ability to weave these narratives together, drawing the spectator into an interplay of distance and proximity, abstraction and clarity. It exemplifies how Smith extends the boundaries of conventional portraiture and iconography through his innovative use of colour and language. Within the Zebra One Gallery collection, this work underscores a commitment to showcasing contemporary art that reimagines and revitalizes iconic cultural references through avant-garde techniques.

Zebra One Gallery

Contemporary Art • Hampstead, London

Established 1976 • 50 years of excellence in contemporary art • Professional authentication and provenance research