Hughie Lee-Smith

Painter known for surreal and desolate landscapes rendered in a distinctive visual language of balloons, ribbons, and targets.

Why go

Lee-Smith was the second African American artist elected as a full member of the National Academy of Design (1967) and dedicated himself to teaching and mentoring. His work spans from the 1950s through the 1990s, moving between figuration, landscape, and surrealist imagery.

Things to know

• Born 1915, died 1999
• Graduated with honors from Cleveland Institute of Art in 1938; earned Bachelor of Science in art education from Wayne State University, Detr
• Served in US Navy 1943–1945 as official 'morale painter' near Chicago
• First solo exhibition mounted at Southside Community Arts Center, Chicago, in 1945
• Work held in collections including The Studio Museum in Harlem, National Academy of Design, and New Jersey State Museum