Barbara T. Smith’s Innovations with Xerox Technology

Barbara T. Smith, a pioneering feminist artist, is renowned for incorporating innovative techniques in her work. Her journey began with “Just Plain Facts” (1966–67), marking a pivotal shift from housewife to revered artist through the use of a Xerox 914 photocopier. This initial endeavor resulted in over 50,000 experimental pieces, and these works are currently showcased in the “Barbara T. Smith: Xerox 914” exhibition at the Marciano Art Foundation’s library.

Within this exhibition, Smith explored the Xerox machine’s potential by scanning diverse objects such as toys and her own body, crafting intricate zines and prints. Her approach treated the copier as a lithographic tool, allowing her to layer compositions through repeated printing processes. This method is exemplified in her piece “In Self Defense,” where four hands are produced on one page, symbolizing both replication (“copy”) and uniqueness (“unique”).

Smith’s innovative manipulation of the photocopying technology included degrading images through multiple copies, modifying distances between objects and the glass, and creating faded effects by lifting photos mid-scan. Her publications, like the 30 book “Coffin” series and the “Poetry Set,” showcase her diverse artistic expressions, including pieces like “Joy” and “Rebellion.”

A notable aspect of Smith’s work involves her own body, predicting her future engagement with performance art. In “Self Portraits” (1966–67), her face and hands are pressed against the glass, producing an evocative scene of submersion. Furthermore, she explored themes akin to early mammography by depicting her breast on glass, inviting reflections on her life’s later artistic awakening.

Even at 82, Smith remains captivated by photocopy technology. Her work “Untitled” (2013) revisits scanned prints of her hands, accentuated with vibrant glitter—showcasing her continued zeal for artistic evolution. The exhibition “Barbara T. Smith: Xerox 914” invites art enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the breadth of Smith’s transformative journey and her lasting impact on the art world. This exhibition is open until July 5 and was curated by Jenelle Porter at the Marciano Foundation.