b. 1970 -

Cedric Smith, an American painter and photographer, creates art that vividly captures aspects of African American life. His mixed-media artworks primarily address the lack of Black representation in advertising and media, aiming to highlight the significant contributions of Black people to American society and culture.

About Cedric Smith:

• Artist: Cedric Smith


• Alias: Cedric Smith


• Profession: Mixed-Media Artist


• Nationality: American

Based in Macon, Georgia, Cedric Smith's work has gained recognition for its poignant reflections on racial inequity in the United States. A self-taught artist, Smith's pieces have been featured in galleries across the American South and in Paris. His art reimagines historical and contemporary media landscapes with increased Black representation, contributing to the rich tradition of African American painting.

In many of his notable works, Smith incorporates collages of photographs depicting Black individuals, some captured by him and others sourced elsewhere, into his paintings. One standout piece is his 2002 mixed media artwork titled Tomatoes, where he integrates a photograph of a young Black woman within a painted tomato sale sign.

Born in Philadelphia, Smith initially aspired to pursue a career in the music industry. However, his trajectory shifted when William Tolliver, an artist and regular customer at the Atlanta barber shop where Smith worked in his twenties, introduced him to the world of painting. Tolliver invited Smith to learn at his studio, and in 1998, around the age of 28, Smith held his first solo exhibition at Atlanta’s Gallery B.

Related Styles and Movements:

• Photography


• Mixed-Media Art

Highlights and Achievements:

• In June 2022, his 2002 mixed media piece Early Peas sold for $3,500 via the Atlanta auction house Ahlers and Ogletree Inc.

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