Events

Smith’s work traverses a spectrum of influences—from a childhood imbued with mystical and spiritual healing to ancient pictographs—creating a tapestry of personal and collective memory. Iconography derived from biology texts, diagrams, and Cold War spy manuals coexist in his compositions, offering not only a visual feast but also an energetic, intellectual dialogue.

At MOCA, the exhibition traces Smith’s artistic evolution. Early works from the Pictures era showcase his ambitiously-scaled drawings based on found images forming enigmatic, puzzle-like compositions. Another section, “Black Paintings,” draws from his studies of ancient cultures and mystery schools, and then into “Modern Paintings,” which overlay linear patterns with abstract geometries inspired by mid-century painters like Barnett Newman, Mark Tobey, and Jasper Johns.

The latter half of Smith’s career is represented through“ Color Paintings”, which feature crisp graphic imagery carved into bold, monochromatic fields, and “White Paintings” works, where erasures evoke both disappearance and emergence.

The exhibition culminates in Smith’s newest series, “Energy Paintings,” in which monumental canvases are uniquely activated with gestural and chromatic energy. These works synthesize elements from earlier series, radiating a fresh dynamism. Much like the earth’s magnetic field—generated by molten iron at its core and shielding the planet from harmful solar radiation—Smith’s “Energy Paintings” emit their own magnetism. Vibrant lines and cosmological symbols pulse across the canvases, drawing viewers into their powerful, protective embrace.

Philip Smith: Magnetic Fields will remain on view through October 5, 2025.