John Smith

John Smith (born 1952, Walthamstow, East London, England) is a British avant garde filmmaker and professor of Fine Art based in London. His work has been noted for his use of humour in exploring various themes that often play upon the film spectator's conditioned assumptions of the medium, and he is therefore often associated with structural film.

His 1976 film The Girl Chewing Gum has been called one of the most important avant-garde films of the 20th century.

Early life and education Smith was born in 1952 in Walthamstow, East London and later studied film at the Royal College of Art. During this time he found inspiration in conceptual art, structural film and spoken word.

Career While still attending college, Smith made The Girl Chewing Gum in 1976, which remains his best-known work. The film consists of two camera shots and narration by Smith. He directs the movement of passersby, pigeons, and even inanimate objects. The official Tate artwork collection text draws a relation to François Truffaut's 1973 film La nuit américaine, pointing out the shared theme of exposing the work of the director.

Smith has made more than 60 films over 50 years. He studied together with filmmaker Peter Gidal, a founding member of the London Film-Makers' Co-op. Smith was at some point part of the LFMC, speaking fondly of colleagues such as Ian Breakwell.

Style Smith has said his goal is "making films that are as simple as possible". 1977 Hackney Marshes - November 4th 1977