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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br><br>
January 8, 2005<br><br>
Crossing Artistic Boundaries: British/Nigerian Painter (Abiodun Oladewa)
Abbey Laurel-Smith to appear at Poetry Reading/ Book Signing at the Yale
BN Bookstore (02/19/05) and the Harvard Coop Bookstore <br>
(02/18/05) <br><br>
Abbey Laurel-Smith is oblivious to the prevalent taboo against mixing the
arts.<br><br>
A successful painter and poet, Laurel-Smith recently released two books
of poetry and a biographical account of his progression as an artist. He
will read from his work and sign copies of his books at 2 pm on Feb. 19,
2005 at the Yale BN Bookstore in New Haven, CT and at 7 pm on Feb. 18,
2005 at the Harvard Coop Bookstore in Cambridge, MA. <br><br>
William Zimmer, contributing critic to the New York Times said Mr.
Laurel-Smith has a constant ability to coherently shift from feelings to
facts, from poetry to painting, without a sense of disruption ... he is
not interested in classical perfection, but rather in replicating the
nature of actual life with its constant motion and enormous
scope.<br><br>
Members of the media are invited to attend this event. Review
copies of Mr. Laurel-Smith’s book, is available, as are interviews with
the author.<br><br>
Mr. Laurel-Smith’s first collection of poems, ...let me be, your absent
friend, is subtitled _a seduction of innocent minds_ and reflects the
artist/poet’s interest in the complexities of human nature. His second
book, “I lied” continues the writer’s study of humanity, conscience
and nature.<br><br>
“The End of Art” is a collection of notes and ideas jotted down over
a period of several years on art, history and literature. The reader is
taken along on a journey into the life and mind of an artist.<br><br>
Mr. Laurel-Smith’s mastery of both art forms is clear and has been
recognized repeatedly. The Vermont Studio Center awarded him fellowships
in both painting and poetry. He was Artist in Residence at the Art
Center of South Florida in 2002 and South Florida Artist of the Month in
November of the same year. <br><br>
His subject matter is as diverse as his interests. The persistent snow in
New England is a motif in many of the poems. There are memories of
Africa, both personal and humorous, views on art and art history, even a
series of oil paintings dedicated to Albert Einstein.<br><br>
Abbey Laurel-Smith was born in Nigeria and educated at Oxford. While in
London, he shared an exhibition with His Royal Highness, the Prince of
Wales. He has worked fulltime as an artist since 1988.<br><br>
For more information, visit
<a href="http://www.abbeylaurel-smith.com/" eudora="autourl">www.abbeylaurel-smith.com</a>
or <br>
<a href="http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/audience/stories/041226absentfriend.shtml" eudora="autourl">http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/audience/stories/041226absentfriend.shtml</a> </blockquote>
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