Roch Smith Sculptures
Canadian
Canadian sculptor P. Roch Smith received a BFA (Honours Sculpture) from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (ECIAD - 1997) and an MFA from York University (2003). A teacher as well as an artist, he has taught classes at the University of Waterloo, ECIAD and York University. He currently manages and operates the bronze and aluminum foundry at York University. Roch Smith has exhibited throughout Canada and in the US. P. Roch Smith’s work is included in private, corporate and museum collections.
P. Roch Smith’s work centres on the creativity of play, equilibrium and disequilibrium, and how memories are constructed and held in place - a geography of memory. Smith presents work in which the mass produced (plastic army figures – model kits - tools) are merged with the organic (tree branches, sisal twine and yarn). The figures are unified by bronze casting – fixing their hybridity in both a metaphoric and material manner. The relational nature of value is examined as the tiny scale of the bronze figures is the antithesis of monumentality usually associated with bronze as a sculptural material. While bronze casting normally speaks to permanence and the epic, the scale of these works creates a form of intimacy.
Play has been theorized as a liminal space – occupying both the real and the imagined simultaneously. It is within this topography that Smith tries to point to certain aspects of the human condition. Does replacing the guns on toys with branches change the essential meaning of the situation? Is it absurd? Can a small figure evoke a sympathetic response or reaction?
We manufacture toys with the intention of enabling children to play and the assumption is that this play is free, unencumbered and not contingent. Pulling back, however, it may be argued that the inherent structure of the toy itself echoes strictly adult concerns. Toys and play easily normalize certain ideas about one’s place in the greater scheme of things. Thankfully, children have also long subverted these rigid narrative structures. The altering of toys – drawing tattoos on a doll or shaving the “life-like” hair off of a GI Joe figure – is an aspirational act and speaks to claiming new narratives.
As a maker, Smith maintains this drive to construct and model objects with a sense of playfulness. Ideally, the works are at turns humorous but also manage to evoke a pathos associated with labour, work and the monumentality of mundane tasks. The figures carry weight in both a literal and figurative manner beyond what should be their actual capacity. The scale of the works are important for their small-scale for they invite both a broad and intimate viewing. Viewing the work one enters a space of inspection – of being a giant in a land that is off-kilter – witness to a precarious balance.to
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Artist: Roch Smith
An accumulation of Experiences - figurative, bronze, outdoor sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This figurative, bronze, outdoor sculpture is by Roch Smith. Inspired by life’s big questions, Roch Smith creates thoughtful and playful contemporary sculptures. This figure cast in ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
The Craftsman ed.1/2 - surrealist, canoe, figurative, wood, bronze, sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This bronze figurative tabletop sculpture by Roch Smith features a canoe.
Canadian sculptor Roch Smith has turned his attention to a cherished national and historic pastime—canoeing...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Kinship - surrealist, male, figurative, bronze outdoor furniture sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This surrealist, male, figurative, bronze outdoor furniture sculpture is by Roch Smith. Roch Smith’s engaging contemporary sculptures are desi...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Greeting - surrealist, abstract, figurative, male, bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This indoor figurative bronze sculpture is made by Canadian artist Roch Smith.
The imaginative sculptural work of Roch Smith often takes a playful approach to more serious themes. H...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
The Contour of Balance - tall, figurative, bronze, steel, outdoor sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
As a sculptor, Roch Smith often interprets the big questions in life in imaginative and playful ways. The Toronto artist is known for his use of toys –familiar childhood images that ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Dream Walker - surrealist, abstracted, figurative, male, bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The evocative image of tree branches lying on the ground caught the imagination of sculptor Roch Smith. The Toronto artist re-envisioned the natural for...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Gunnel Bobbing 1/3 - surrealist, canoe, figurative, wood, bronze, sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This surrealist, canoe, figurative, wood, bronze, sculpture was created by Canadian artist Roch Smith.
It is an old game. Gunnel or ‘gunwale’ bobbing. Two people stand on the gunnel...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Downhill (Knight Ave) - tall, narrative, figurative, male, bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This fun and somewhat whimsical sculpture recalls a cherished childhood memory for Roch Smith. The Toronto-based sculptor has hand-forged the bronze figure of a young boy on a bike balancing upright on its back wheel-popping a wheelie. He stands poised to ride off the top of a high, narrow steel track that ends in a loop reminiscent of the popular ‘Hot Wheels’ toy race car...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Shelter - surrealist, contemporary, figurative, bronze, outdoor sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary outdoor figurative metal sculpture is by Roch Smith.
Canadian artist Roch Smith’s playful and thoughtful visual language often tackles big life themes in an imagin...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
House Hunter 1/3 - small, surrealist, figurative, bronze and wood sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Toronto artist Roch Smith often uses toy figures in clever and fun ways to convey cultural statements that go beyond child’s play. This tabletop figure is bending over, arms extended...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Assist - surrealist, abstract, male, figurative, bronze tabletop sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This indoor figurative bronze sculpture comes from the imagination of Canadian artist Roch Smith.
The clever sculptures of Roch Smith are often inspired by images, forms and texture...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Enlarging Perspective - Surreal stretched male figure in bronze
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
It’s a striking image—a man, standing—his legs impossibly long, his arms spread wide affording him, perhaps a new and bigger perspective. Is this the intention behind Toronto artist ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
$6,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Daily Grind - contemporary, male, figurative, patinated bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary, male, figurative, patinated bronze sculpture was created by artist P Roch Smith. A tower of cups stacked face to face and end to end creates a beautifully undulating formal column reminiscent of Brancusi's Endless Column. Precariously balanced on the shoulders of a small bronze figure...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Whimsical Underpinning - surrealist, abstract, male figurative, bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This indoor figurative bronze sculpture comes from the imagination of Canadian artist Roch Smith.
The idea for this bronze series of ‘tree men’ first came to Roch Smith in a daydrea...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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Artist Statement: For me, sculpture is particularly shape and material, volume and size, space, movement and statics.
I focus on the ‘female body’, presenting it either as an intimate miniature or on a monumental scale – each time as a solitary figure.
In terms of content, my work focuses on identifying and combining polarities, such as instability and strength, fragility and solidity, activity and passivity, movement and statics, balance and volume, and dependence and autarchy.
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Previously Available Items
Pause 1/3 - small, surrealist, canoe, male, figurative, wood, bronze, sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The legendary canoeist and Canadian filmmaker Bill Mason once said, “First God made the canoe then he created a country to go with it.”
Sculptor Roch Smith has embraced the iconic i...
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2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
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Bronze
Wanderer - surrealist, contemporary, figurative, bronze, outdoor sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This surrealist, contemporary, figurative, bronze, outdoor sculpture is by Canadian sculptor Roch Smith. Smith returns to a favorite theme and form with this new imaginative ‘tree br...
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2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 46.5 in W 12 in D 11 in
Vista - tall, playful, figurative, bronze, steel, outdoor sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
In this playful and imaginative sculpture by Roch Smith a figure, cast in bronze sits on a high steel chair. The Canadian artist is known for his inspired sculptures that often tackl...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Ascent - figurative, sculpture, tall, contemporary, bronze, steel
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Canadian Sculptor Roch Smith is highly regarded for his provocative and playful contemporary artwork. Cast in bronze, this sculpture revisits a favoured theme—the human desire and s...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Stainless Steel
H 96 in W 11 in D 9 in
Hold Fast - tall, surrealist, male, figurative, bronze, steel, outdoor sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Toronto artist Roch Smith was inspired by recent events to create a new metal sculpture that reflects on the idea of community—lending a hand to others in need. ‘Hold Fast’ is a play...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
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Work/Play Balance - tall, narrative, figurative, male, bronze, wood, sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
As a young boy Roch Smith used to take apart his mother’s wooden clothes pegs and glue them together to create various objects like ships and cars. Recalling those early creative imp...
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2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
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H 65.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Reliable Technology - tall, narrative, figurative, male, bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Roch Smith continues to conjure up images of his childhood by creating uniquely dynamic and fun sculptures. This piece combines two popular playtime objects—Tinker Toys and a tin can...
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2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
H 62.5 in W 48 in D 20 in
Enfold (Tree Men Series) - small, surrealist, males, figurative bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Canadian sculptor P. Roch Smith’s ‘Tree Men’ were inspired by a walk in the woods. Smith noticed that fallen twigs and branches had interesting shapes and he imagined them replacing human limbs. In this bronze piece, two naked male...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 10.5 in W 8 in D 8.5 in
Reunion (Tree Men Series) - small, surrealist, male, figurative bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
P. Roch Smith’s playful bronze ‘Tree Men’ series was inspired by a walk in the woods. The Canadian sculptor imagined fallen twigs and branches replacing human limbs. With Reunion, tw...
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2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 11.5 in W 12 in D 8.5 in
Canadiana: Tug of War - tall, narrative, figurative, male bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Bronze cast figurines of two men, one at each at end of a bronze rope, standing on a teeter totter -- one man merely holds his end of the rope, the other one pulls. The whole is bal...
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2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
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Bronze, Steel
Semblance of Balance - Bronze casted male figure with stacked spheres
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The thoughtful, playful sculptures of Roch Smith often revolve around the idea of finding balance in one’s life. With this bronze, patinated piece, the Toronto artist has cast a male...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
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Bronze, Steel
H 62.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Evolution of a Vantage Point 3/4 - surrealist, male, figurative bronze sculpture
By P. Roch Smith
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Available by commission, please allow 4-6 weeks for completion upon delivery.
Roch Smith’s inspired bronze sculpture is a clever ‘play’ on a popular saying. “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” (Sir Isaac Newton...
Category
2010s Contemporary Roch Smith Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Roch Smith sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Roch Smith sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Roch Smith in bronze, metal, steel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Roch Smith sculptures, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jennifer Small, Ginette Legare, and Steven Heinemann. Roch Smith sculptures prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,600 and tops out at $19,000, while the average work can sell for $7,530.