Palm Springs Art Museum, in collaboration with the Espoo Museum of Modern Art, presents The Art and Design of Howard Smith—the first major U.S. retrospective of the artist since the 1980s. On view now, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the dynamic and colorful work of Howard Smith (1928–2021), an influential yet largely overlooked American artist.
A native of New Jersey, Smith made a name for himself in post-war Europe, becoming one of the few Black artists of his generation to successfully collaborate with major Scandinavian design houses. His innovative textiles and ceramics were celebrated for their vivid use of color and incorporation of African symbols, merging abstraction with cultural storytelling.
Beyond his commercial success, Smith’s studio practice spanned a wide range of media—painting, sculpture, screen-printing, collage, and assemblage. His creations were often imbued with personal and political significance, transforming everyday objects like army jackets and vintage hats into deeply expressive artworks.
Despite more than 40 solo exhibitions throughout his lifetime, Smith’s decision to emigrate to Finland in 1962 left him relatively unknown in the U.S. The Art and Design of Howard Smithseeks to change that, honoring a visionary whose work grappled with themes of race, modernism, the Cold War, and the African diaspora.
This long-overdue exhibition invites visitors to rediscover a powerful artistic voice whose legacy bridges continents and cultures.
Where: Palm Springs Art Museum
When: May 10, 2025 – February 23, 2026.