Mills Gallery is thrilled to present and support Mark T. Smith’s first solo exhibition in 14 years at the renowned Mills Gallery in Orlando, Florida. The solo exhibition is entitled “The Third Act”. The exhibition, with a VIP opening on the 29th of May and the Public Opening on May 30th, 2025. The exhibition is on view until July 25th, 2025. A special thank you for the support and participation from John William Gallery, The Delaware Art Museum, and the University of Delaware.
Mark T. Smith is an internationally acclaimed artist known for his vibrant Neo-Pop-Modernist style, which has captivated audiences worldwide. His work has graced major corporate campaigns, international events, and the walls of celebrity collectors Jay Leno, Bang Bang, Neil Diamond, and Sir Elton John. This exhibition marks a significant moment in Smith’s career: his return to public exhibitions after over a decade, during which time the artist continued his robust studio practice but kept it out of public view.
Mills Gallery is located in the heart of Orlando’s dynamic Mills 50 neighborhood. The Mills Gallery has been a cornerstone of the Orlando art scene, recognized as the city’s best art gallery for past two consecutive years and recently transitioned to a nonprofit foundation, solidifying its role as a cultural hub for the City of Orlando.
“The Third Act” Curatorial Statement by Jillian Pini
Symbolic and metabolic, personal and universal, Mark T. Smith’s art is a meeting point between the representational and the abstract. In this way, his artwork is uniquely accessible to a wide audience and fosters connection between artwork, artist, and viewer. His “neo-pop-modernist style,” draws inspiration from the New York art scene in the late 90s, advertisements, graffiti, and general pop culture, which results in a relatable and engaging visual language. The Third Act explores the current era of Mark T. Smith’s creation, born of years of dedicated studio practice. As we follow through his processes of creating, the story of a passionate, persevering artist is revealed.
Mark T. Smith’s artwork is immediate, drawing the viewer in with vibrant color and familiar symbols. His work is deeply expressive and therefore deeply human, spanning themes of mortality, identity, and resilience. Smith’s identifiable icons and inextricably human experiences provide entry points for the viewer. He utilizes modern icons like the jukebox and the factory, alongside ancient symbols such as the skull, the bull, and the laurel wreath. His evocative use of color, recognizable iconography, and abstract mark making create a visual language that reflects his artistic intention: to express the universal experiences of life and explore what it means to be human.
Born in Delaware and working worldwide until settling in Florida, Mark T. Smith is an accomplished contemporary artist. Notable patrons such as Absolut Vodka, Walt Disney Co., Yum Brands’ Taco Bell, Stellantis’ Chrysler and many more supported Smith early in his career due to his consistent vision and dynamic aesthetics. In recent years, Smith has dedicated himself to independent studio practice, with a focus on connecting with and invigorating his unwavering passion for art. Smith is a prolific artist who has ceaselessly created throughout his decades long career. He spends hours in the studio honing his craft, constantly learning and growing. In Smith’s practice, process is integral. Classically trained, Smith carries traditions of draftsmanship and observation in his process. He hovers between what he describes as “the known,” referring to traditional education, and “the unknown,” referring to the spontaneity of a flow state. Together, we move through his creative problem solving: from preliminary sketches to finished artwork.
Mark T. Smith’s latest works shift towards a more fluid approach with boundaries less clearly defined, a reflection of transformative events in his life. Here, his iconography becomes an anchor amidst more abstract forms that require and encourage deeper engagement. In this exhibition, we join Smith on an artistic journey throughout his past decade of secluded evolution. After 14 years of private studio practice, Mark T. Smith is once again ready to share his vision and inspire connection through artmaking. Join us in celebrating Smith’s work, and, in his own words, let the art bring you “somewhere miraculous within yourself – somewhere you may not have ever known existed.”
The Inventory of Works
“Corpus” 40×60 Mixed Media on canvas 2020. (.1)
Horse Sculpture / “Charisma” (.1)
“Horse production drawing /’Gratitude” 26 x 33 inches Graphite on watercolor paper , Framed size, 2008. (.4)
“Plan B in Color” Mixed Media 36×36 inches on stretched canvas 2010. (.2)
“Barca” / 36×48 Mixed Media on Canvas / 2023. (.2)
“Delaware Landscape” 24×36 inches on Paper, Mixed Media 2023 (.3)
“Diagram of the Charlatan” 45 x 55 inches Mixed Media on archival paper, 2009? (.1)
“Doggie Style Rave” 11×14 inches on Canvas, Mixed Media 2009 (.3)
“Preexisting Condition” / 18 x 24 Remarque over Linoleum block print / Image size, 2025 (.5)
“Pyramid Boombox” 21 x 28.5 inches Mixed Media on paper, Framed size. 2025 (.3)
“Griffin and Key” 11 x 14 inches Mixed Media on canvas 2017. (.3)
“Covid” Mixed Media 30×40 inches on stretched canvas 2020 (.2)
“Political Landscape” 40 x 60 inches Mixed Media on Canvas, 2025. (.1)
“Watchdog” 30 x 48 inches Mixed Media on Canvas, 2025. (.2)
“Pyramids and other Monuments” Mixed Media 30×40 inches on stretched canvas 2023. (.2)
“Foreshadow” Mixed Media 11×14 inches on stretched canvas 2023 (.3)
“Fidelity” 10×10 inches on stretched canvas 2006 (.3)
“UFO Tiger” 24×29 inches Mixed Media on paper 2021 (Framed) (.3)
“Suspense Part 2” Mixed Media 25×25 inches on wood 2020. (.3)
“Sketchbook Page “Exile” Mixed Media 8×11 inches on paper (.5)
“Sketchbook Page Blue Heart” 1 8×11 Ink on paper.
“Sketchbook Page Bullhead and Bull Figure” 12 x 16 Mixed Media on paper, Framed size, 2023. (.5)
“Sketchbook Page Red Castle 2” 17 x 21 Mixed Media on paper, Framed size, 2023. (.5)
“Sketchbook Page Blue Nude” 12 x 16 Mixed Media on paper, Framed size, 2023. (.5)
“Sketchbook Page Captains Call” 12 x 16 Mixed Media on paper, Framed size, 2023. (.5)
“Sketchbook Page Corpus Study” 14 x 19 inches Ink on paper, Framed Size, 2023 (.5)
“Sketchbook Page DC Landscape” 13 x 17 inches Mixed Media on paper, Framed Size, 2023(.5)
“Sketchbook Page “Figures” 13 x 17 Mixed Media on paper, Framed size, 2023. (.5)
“Sketchbook Page Pyramid Landscape” 13 x 17 inches Mixed Media on paper, Framed Size, 2023. (.5)
“Working Drawing for Suspense” 21 x 28 Graphite on Tracing paper, framed size, 2020. (.4)
“QuitER” 22 x 28 Mixed Media Remarque of a Linoelum block print, Framed Size, 2025. (.5)
“Brand X” 22 x 28 Mixed Media Remarque of a Linoelum block print, Framed Size, 2025. (.5)
“Drawing for Premonition” 22 x 28 Graphite on Tracing paper, Framed size, 2023 (.4)
“Tools of the Charlatan” 21 x 24 Graphite on paper, Framed size, 2008. (.4)
“Sketchbook Page ‘Untitled Nude” 13 x 17 inches Mixed Media on paper, Framed Size, 2023. (.5)
To purchase works from this exhibition, please click this link —->TO PURCHASE WORKS: and/or reach out to Mills Gallery to finalize your purchase. All works are provided with a Certificate of Authenticity with the Bill of Sale. You can reach Mills gallery via email: [email protected] or call (855) 336-3653 – or stop by in person!!!!! Mills Gallery 1650 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 USA
