British Council British Council Visual Arts

Bob and Roberta Smith is the adopted persona of the artist Patrick Brill. Born in London in 1963, he studied Fine Art at the University of Reading and later at Goldsmiths College, London. Bob and Roberta Smith lives and works in London.

Smith's work spans a variety of genres; painting, performance, music and even cookery and Do-It-Yourself, infused with a subversive humour. By combining such diverse media with the language styles of alternative protest movements, folk and punk, Bob and Roberta Smith attempts to challenge established authorities and values, and encourage creativity in people. Many past projects and performances have involved participatory elements, sharing similarities with the Fluxus movement of the 1960s.

Recent exhibitions include
I am a living sign The Bob and Roberta Smith Diaries, Hales Gallery, London, UK,
Paul Thek, ZKM/ Museum of Contemporary Art, Karlsrule, Germany 2008
The Captains Journal of the Voyage of the Human Being, Galerie Kusseneers, Antwerp, Belgium, 2007.

In 2008, a sculpture by Bob and Roberta Smith was short-listed for the Fourth Plinth competition in Trafalgar Square, London.

Made in Britain Contemporary Art from the British Council Collection 1980-2010,China federation of Literary and Art Circles Publishing Corporation 2010. ISBN 978-7-5059-7014-4.