Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play.

House Hunter 1/3

More Works By P. Roch Smith Bronze 2022
7 × 8 × 3 in 17.78 × 20.32 × 7.62 cm
$1,600
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About House Hunter 1/3

Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. This tabletop figure is bending over, arms extended as if he’s trying to grasp something, a small house sits on his back as if it’s a burden. Is Smith making a social comment on the high cost of housing in the city he lives in? One in a series of three, cast in bronze and mounted on a small wooden block.

“At first glance, the pieces don’t appear that impressive or imposing. With further viewing, however, viewers begin to register the level of detail and the fact that the figures are doing things that are structural and that plays with one’s expectations of what is possible.” Roch Smith

He received a BFA (Honours Sculpture) from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (ECIAD - 1997) and an MFA from York University (2003). A teacher as well as an artist, he has taught classes at the University of Waterloo, ECIAD and York University. He currently manages and operates the bronze and aluminum foundry at York University. Roch Smith has exhibited throughout Canada and in the US. His work is included in private, corporate and museum collections.

Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. Image 2 Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. Image 3 Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. Image 4 Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. Image 5 Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. Image 6 Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. Image 7