Smith’s 2008 memoir is a trip…..in and of all senses. One third quirky Miami history lesson, 1/3 eccentric family bio, 1/3 manual for the metaphysical arts; which adds up to one enjoyable read. Grab a copy for your beach literary get-away this summer.
Philip Smith is currently a successful artist and author sharing time between Miami and NYC, a well-trodden path. Some of his art works are in permanent collections at the Whitney, Bass and Miami Art Museums, as well as Dallas and Detroit Institutes of Arts. Many of his pieces are a tribute and exploration of father Lew Smith’s deep adventure into the art of healing. Smith’s medium is Sgraffito (from the Italian word sgraffire - “to scratch”), an oil pigment and beeswax amalgam layered in different hues, then scratched through to uncover contrasting color beneath…sort of a reverse drawing technique, traditionally used in pottery.
A former managing editor of GQ, his early career took him via a writer for Andy Warhol's Interview.
As Philip Smith was preparing to publish the completed Walking Through Walls, more of his father’s papers came to light; apparently a 1971 message from the beyond had asked Lew if he had a son, and that one day this son would compile a book on his father.
WILD RIVER Review has this interesting interview with Philip: Click HERE
For more on Philip Smith's art visit www.philipsmithart.com. For more information on his book Walking Through Walls visit www.walkingthroughwallsthebook.com.
Irene Sperber
