About Me

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 (02/18/05)

Abbey Laurel-Smith is oblivious to the prevalent taboo against mixing the arts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

Abbey Laurel-Smith, a British subject 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.

For more information about the author, visit www.abbeylaurel-smith.com www.writingpad.blog.com www.authorhouse.com www.ingrambook.com www.amazon.com www.btol.com www.bn.com www.bamm.com www.borders.com www.bookzone.com www.chapters.ca www.booksense.com www.bookzone.com