SMILEY: Lost in My Own Universe explores memory, pop iconography, and cinematic narrative. Drawing from cinema, childhood imagery, advertising, Hollywood landmarks, and popular culture, Smiley treats memory as something assembled rather than sequential. Recurring smiley motifs, automatic writing, and familiar cultural symbols move throughout the work, transforming mass-media imagery into personal artifacts.
A central element of the exhibition is the Smiley Soup Can Collection, a series of one-of-one original paintings that revisits the visual grammar of American Pop Art through nostalgia and collective memory. The collection has generated significant interest among collectors and visitors alike, led by high-demand pieces such as Care Bears, alongside works featuring Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story, Ninja Turtles, Calvin and Hobbes, and The Simpsons. Through repetition, Smiley transforms mass-produced pop culture icons into personal, emotionally resonant artifacts.
Exhibition Title: SMILEY: Lost in My Own Universe
Artist: Matt Smiley
Presentation: Presented by Bailey Wick Gallery
Venue: The London West Hollywood, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Dates: On view through October 17, 2026
