Leigh and Reggie Smith

HOUSTON, TEXAS–Leigh and Reggie Smith have been seriously investigating contemporary art since 1988, the first year of their marriage. The couple became involved with CAMH, then MFAH, The Menil Collection, Art League, local galleries, and collector groups. Reggie’s law practice shifted to international work, and they explored art overseas. Outlining recent acquisitions, Leigh cites, “Mid-century works by William Copley, Allan D’Arcangelo, Gladys Nilsson, Peter Blake, and John Graham … [and] many more women artists — several Cindy Sherman pieces, three works by Annette Lemieux, two paintings by Lois Dodd, a beautiful landscape by Jane Freilicher, and two works by Huma Bhabha.” One favorite that they recently loaned to both the Moody Center and the MFAH is a sculpture by British/Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare. “This was an exciting acquisition for us, purchased at Basel in Switzerland from a London Gallery in the early 2000s, and at that time, a big step-up in what we were buying. It’s also the perfect mix of beauty and serious concepts.”

ART:

William Copley, Allan D’Arcangelo, Gladys Nilsson, Peter Blake, John Graham, Cindy Sherman, Annette Lemieux, Lois Dodd, Jane Freilicher, Huma Bhabha, Danny Rolph, Sanford Biggers, Carroll Dunham, Sarah Charlesworth

CV:

This museum and nonprofit-involved couple have been seriously investigating contemporary art since 1988, the first year of their marriage. Leigh says, “A favorite that we’ve lent recently to both the Moody Center and the MFAH … is a wonderful sculpture by British/Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare. Purchased … in the early 2000s, [it was] at that time a big step up in what we were buying. It’s also the perfect mix of beauty and serious concepts.”

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