page_title: Art Smith (jeweler)
section_title: Style
hierarchical_section_title: Art Smith (jeweler) / Style
caption_attribution_description: English: Model wearing the "modern cuff" bracelet by Art Smith. Art Smith (American, born Cuba, 1917-1982). "Modern Cuff" Bracelet, designed ca. 1948. Silver, 1 5/8 x 2 1/2 x 4 in. (4.1 x 6.4 x 10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Charles L. Russell, 2007.61.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Peter Basch, courtesy of Estate of Peter Basch (1921-2004), SC03_Jewelry_on_models_001_2007.61.15_Peter_Basch_photo_SL1.jpg)
context_page_description: Arthur George "Art" Smith was one of the leading modernist jewelers of the mid-20th century, and one of the few Afro-Caribbean people working in the field to reach international recognition. He trained at Cooper Union, NYU, and under Winifred Mason.
context_section_description: Smith's jewelry has been described as:
  Inspired by surrealism, biomorphicism, and primitivism ... dynamic in its size and form.
  Many of his pieces were designed to be worn by avant-garde dancers, which influenced his style. The pieces were often large. Of his own work, he said:
  A piece of jewelry is in a sense an object that is not complete in itself. Jewelry is a ‘what is it?’ until you relate it to the body. The body is a component in design just as air and space are. Like line, form, and color, the body is a material to work with. It is one of the basic inspirations in creating form.
  Alexander Calder was also an influence.
caption: Model wearing a Smith bracelet designed c. 1948
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