Derek Smith Britain, Australia, 1931-2019
Past Sales
Sales by Medium
Where to buy or sell art works by Derek Smith
Auction Houses
About Derek Smith
Derek Smith (1931-2019) was a British-Australian ceramic artist who was known for his functional and decorative pottery. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1931 and studied ceramics at the Birmingham School of Art. In 1956, he moved to Australia, where he taught ceramics at various schools and established his own studio in Hobart, Tasmania. Smith's work is characterized by its simple forms, its use of bold colors, and its emphasis on functional design. He often used local materials in his work, such as Australian clays and glazes. His pottery was inspired by a variety of sources, including Japanese ceramics, Aboriginal art, and the work of other contemporary ceramic artists. Smith's work has been exhibited in major galleries and museums around the world. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Royal Australian Institute of Architects' Robin Boyd Award for Ceramics in 1992. He was also a member of the Australian Ceramic Circle and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Smith died in Hobart, Tasmania, in 2019. His work is still widely admired and collected by ceramic enthusiasts around the world.
The total number of works by Derek Smith offered for sale by auction since 2001 is 6, of which 5 (83%) were sold. No works have been offered for sale this year, and the last sale we have recorded for the artist was in 2018. Works by Derek Smith are held by the Art Gallery of Western Australia, National Gallery of Australia and a further four major public national galleries (see list below).
Derek Smith is listed in the following standard biographical references:
- Germaine, Max. Artists and Galleries of Australia, Volumes 1 & 2, Third Edition. Craftsman Press, Sydney, 1990. Page 630
- The Find New Zealand Artists web site: a database of artist names that directs researchers to the rich resources found in New Zealand's libraries, art society exhibition histories and published sources.
- Australian Prints + Printmaking, a database listing printmaking artists from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region based on the print collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Artists' Resale Royalty
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
Yes, eligible, subject to the artist satisfying the residency test. The artist is alive or has been deceased for less than 70 years. Contact the Copyright Agency for information on the residency test.
The Australian Art Sales Digest is a database of over 610,000 works by more than 12,000 artists who are listed as having either lived or worked in Australia or New Zealand, and an additional 36,000 foreign and other artists, offered for sale by auction in Australia and New Zealand from the early 1970s to the present day.
Access to the database is available on either a monthly or annual subscription. During the subscription period you have unlimited access to the site. If you would like to subscribe, please proceed to our Subscription Form.