#6 – Alim Smith – How Afro-Surrealism and ‘Atlanta’ Made His Art Pop

Open your ears to 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, where Rob Lee is at the helm. Our today’s guest Alim Smith, a versatile interdisciplinary artist hailing from Delaware, who takes the art world by storm. With a portfolio showcased in prestigious art galleries predominantly along the East Coast of the United States, Alim's artistic prowess transcends traditional boundaries, owing to his extensive studies in Visual Art, Communicative Arts, and Photography. His creations, deeply rooted in cultural experiences, reflect a dynamic interplay of ideas drawn from self-discovery and a keen understanding of others. A testament to his creative breadth, Alim Smith has recently crafted promotional posters for Season 3 of Atlanta, seamlessly weaving his artistry into the fabric of contemporary pop culture and hip-hop influences.

In this talk, we navigate through:

• The creative realm of Alim Smith on this podcast episode, as we delve into how his artistic process is enriched by the vibrant tapestry of hip hop and pop culture, igniting a fusion of influences that shape his distinctive vision.
• An intriguing conversation as we explore the transformative "In Living Color" series by Alim Smith, where he skillfully reimagines black cultural icons that have deeply impacted his journey, unpacking the layers of inspiration and storytelling behind each vibrant creation.
• Uncover the captivating intersection of art and television as we discuss Alim Smith's notable commission to craft promotional artwork for FX's Atlanta, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the dynamic synergy of visual art and popular entertainment.
• In this episode, we delve into the resounding impact of Alim Smith's artwork on the artistic landscape and beyond, unraveling the remarkable journey sparked by overwhelmingly positive responses, and how these reactions have propelled him into a realm of new commissions and exciting opportunities.

Alim joins the podcast to discuss his background and artistic process. He shares his early experiences with art, including selling his first piece in middle school. Alim describes his style as Afro-Surrealism, which allows him to express his blackness in a unique and unconventional way. He also talks about his "In Living Color" series, which reimagines black cultural icons that have influenced his life. The conversation then shifts to his involvement with FX's Atlanta, where he was commissioned to create promotional artwork for the show. Alim discusses the process and the response he has received since the artwork was released.

Mentioned in this episode
Alim's website

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The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). 

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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