Simon M Smith’s works combine intricate elements of collage with finely painted details to create a unique visual language. His paintings have a mesmerising quality drawing the viewer in layer after layer. Simon’s works are accessible on so many levels: they are breathtakingly beautiful as decorative objects, but upon closer inspection one can’t help but get drawn into a dream-like world of colours and shapes created by the artist.

Bankside Hotel x Contemporary Collective are thrilled to welcome American painter Sam Wagner to the Makers’ Studio as their next Artist in Residence. Venturing across the pond from 17th January - 20th March 2022, Sam will take over the artist studio at and explore the themes of reemergence, new forms and the future throughout the duration of his residency.

Examining the influences of a post-pandemic world on anxiety and germaphobia, Sam’s residency will touch upon his coping mechanisms to ease tension in the new world we live in which affect our daily lives and change how we perceive each other in an undefined future. Whilst showcasing the dichotomy of the struggle with control during these unprecedented times, Sam’s goal is to create a new series of works that provide an even deeper look into the mind of a person suffering from OCD and Germaphobia.

Read the press release here