Nocturne (date unknown) by Gordon Appelbe Smith, oil on board, 50.2 x 64.1 cm. Photo: Bernard Clark. Source: City of Kingston Civic Collection.
Gordon Appelbe Smith (1919-) is a painter, printmaker and great supporter of artistic programs for children. His non-objective, gestural manner of painting focuses on paint as a manipulative medium. Smith’s artistic philosophy is that his works should not be an illusion of an experience, but rather a re-creation of one. Nocturne, date unknown is a subtly coloured abstract expressionist work or art with a very lyrical, romantic quality to it.
Gordon Appelbe Smith est un peintre et graveur, grand partisan des programmes artistiques pour enfants. Sa gestuelle non figurative met l’accent sur la manipulation que permet la peinture. Smith a adopté une approche artistique selon laquelle son travail ne devrait pas donner l’illusion d’une expérience mais la recréer. Nocturne est une œuvre expressionniste abstraite aux couleurs subtiles, doublée d’un romantisme très lyrique.