Gary Mark Smith, an American photographer born on April 27, 1956 in Pennsylvania, has had a life filled with both tragedy and triumph. His childhood was marked by extreme challenges, including being struck by lightning twice during his teenage years and narrowly escaping being swept a mile downstream in a flood. To add to the hardship, his mother tragically took her own life when he was just in the fifth grade.
Despite the difficulties he faced growing up, Smith was determined to carve out a path for himself. He pursued a degree in journalism at the University of Kansas at Lawrence, where he honed his storytelling skills and developed a keen eye for capturing the world around him through a lens. After completing his undergraduate studies, Smith went on to further his education by obtaining his MA through a teaching fellowship at Purdue University.
Smith is best known for his creative and experimental street photography, particularly his poignant images capturing the aftermath of tragedies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. His work often delves into the human experience in the face of adversity, showcasing the resilience and strength of communities impacted by disaster. In addition to his documentation of major events, Smith has also turned his lens towards marginalized communities, showcasing the lives of gang-occupied favelas in Rio de Janeiro and highlighting the struggles faced by refugees in camps and areas of conflict, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Smith's artwork has garnered widespread acclaim and recognition, with his photos being featured in many renowned public and private collections. He has also published several collections of street photography, each offering a unique perspective on the world around us. Some of his notable works include "Favela de Rocinha, Brazil" (2011) and "GOMA: The Poetry of Everyday Life on the Streets of a UN Peacekeeping Mission" (2016), which shed light on the daily experiences of individuals living in challenging environments.
Throughout his career, Smith has forged important relationships with fellow artists and influencers in the art world. One such connection was with his famous neighbor and gallery mate, William Burroughs, who invited Smith to contribute his perspective on childhood friend Keith Haring for a 1986 exhibition at the University of Kansas' Spencer Art Museum. These collaborations have enriched Smith's work and provided new insights into his own creative process.
Overall, Gary Mark Smith's journey as a photographer has been shaped by his resilience in the face of adversity and his commitment to capturing the human experience in all its complexity. Through his lens, he invites viewers to see the world from a new perspective and to reflect on the challenges and triumphs that shape our shared humanity.