BIO
Aida Smith is an oil painter based in Wellington. Her still life and landscape paintings draw on personal history and the natural world, forming an autobiography in paint. She depicts spaces that exist between direct observation and remembered experience.
Sustainability is central to her practice, shaping both concept and method. She uses solvent-free professional oil paints and works without mediums or varnishes to reduce the environmental impact of her process. This approach reflects her philosophy that art should exist in harmony with the world it depicts.
Her distinctive artistic language has gained recognition, earning her a place as a finalist in both the 2025 National Contemporary Art Award and the 2025 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. These achievements reflect her growing impact in the New Zealand art scene, as she continues to evolve her practice and expand the boundaries of her artistic storytelling.
