dean smith dancing bear

Biography

Dean Smith Dancing Bear – Sculptor

Dean Smith, widely known as Dean Smith Dancing Bear, is a Melbourne/Ballarat-based Indigenous Sculptor whose artistic journey spans multiple continents and forms of expression. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, Dean draws inspiration from his extensive life experiences in the United States and Europe, as well as a profound connection to animals and the natural world. His art reflects a deep spiritual connection to the earth, often translating this into evocative, tangible works.

Recently Dean has progressed into his most favoured medium of bronze and continues to keep up with his public large scaled commissions.

Artistic Journey and Philosophy

Dean Smith Dancing Bear’s creative endeavours are deeply rooted in his personal experiences and reverence for animal totems. After an intensive period of spiritual retreat and exploration of carved wood totems, he embraced bronze as his alternative medium. His work combines the solidity and sensuality of bronze with an expressive energy that captures joy, intimacy, and human connection. Through intricate textures, expert sculptural techniques, and large-scale compositions, Dean’s art evokes a strong emotional resonance, celebrating life and the natural world.

Artistic Influences

Dean’s philosophy is shaped by the works of iconic figures such as Auguste Rodin, Alberto Giacometti, and Willem de Kooning, as well as abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock. His sculptures balance tradition and experimentation, embodying the physicality of materials and the fluidity of emotion.

Studied under: Dale Eldred, Stelarc, Bruce Armstrong, Mark Stoner, David Wilson.

Worked Under: Kuniyasu Takamasa, Stelarc, Dale Eldred, Jeff Stretch Rumaner

Influences: Rodin, Willem de Kooning, William Tucker, David Smith, Jackson Pollock, Frank Sinatra, Gene Davis, Barry Flanagan, Alberto Giacometti.

Education: Bachelor of Fine Art (Sculpture) VCA 1993 Exchange Student Kansas City Art Institute 1993 Cert II Art & Design, Victoria College 1990

Grants:

Beaufort Memorial Gardens,  2017 -2018- 2019 ANZAC Soldiers/ Bronze Vietnam Veteran Bronze/WW2 Soldier Aluminum & Stone

Smythesdale Gardens, January 2016 – Ship tree
Niddrie Valley Council, Sept 2012 Valley Lakes Walk – Peregrine Falcon Totems
Kingston City Council Grant, Feb 2006 Attenborough Park – Aboriginal Totems
Poowong Council, June 2004 – Swagman and dog

Major Commissions:
Elmhurst Festival, May 2009 – Platypus
Bacchus Marsh Primary School, March 2009 – Bird totems
Seaford Primary School, Sept 2008 – Seahorse totem
Boulia Camel Committee Queensland, July 2007 – Camel
Forrest Primary School, June 2007 – Platypus totem
Iluka Mining commission, Dec 2005 – Kookaburra
West Indies Cricket Association, Jan 2005 Brian Lara portrait
Good Morning Australia, July 2004 – Bert Newton portrait
Churchill Island Working Horse Festival, Feb 2004 – Draft Horse

Exhibitions:
BackSpace Gallery, Ballarat Aug 2014 – Birds, Beasts and Blossoms

Convent Gallery, Dalesford 2012

Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Oct 2007 – Solo Exhibition : Animal totems
Dancing Bear Gallery Dunkeld, Nov 2005 – Bear and Eagle Monuments
McClelland Gallery, Oct 2004 – Sculptures in the bush
Span Gallery, July 2002 – Group Exhibition

Galleries curated by the artist:
Taggerty Pioneer Settlement Gallery, Taggerty Victoria
Dancing Bear Gallery, Dunkeld Victoria
Slug Temple, Kansas City, USA
Zone Gallery, Kansas City, USA

Email: deansmithdancingbear@gmail.com