Smith, David (1906-1965), was an American sculptor who worked with metals in many forms. His most typical works are muscular metaphors resembling hieroglyphics in wrought iron. His work has influenced sculptors who create their work out of junk materials.
Smith was born on March 9, 1906, in Decatur, Indiana. While working on a Studebaker automobile plant assembly line, he learned the metal techniques he used in his later work. In 1926, Smith went to New York City to study at the Art Students League. He began to create welded iron works after seeing Pablo Picasso’s welded sculpture and the forged iron constructions of Julio Gonzalez of Spain in the early 1930’s. Smith died on May 23, 1965.
