Noreen 'Justis' Smith
"Engaging with my art is like an invitation to a courageous conversation prefaced by a smile." -Noreen
About The Artist
BIOGRAPHY
Noreen Smith is a multidisciplinary artist based in Baltimore, Maryland, whose work centers memory, identity, and the lived experience of Black womanhood. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Kara Walker and Romare Bearden, her practice weaves personal narrative with collective history, using storytelling as both structure and voice. Her creative roots come from a family tradition of women who make art not for recognition, but out of care, necessity, and joy. From this lineage, Noreen approaches art as a birthright, a shared language that connects us, invites empathy, and asks us to look more closely. Noreen has presented two solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows, including international shows in India and Australia. Her work has also been featured in print and digital publications. Her practice was further shaped by a solo residency at the Kolaj Institute in New Orleans. Smith’s work can currently be viewed in the She Speaks exhibition at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis, through January 2027.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Each of my collages shines a light on the unique experiences, complexities, and inner worlds of women of color. My work serves as both representation and reflection, creating what I call a "Brave Space", a sanctuary where viewers are invited to recognize, honor, and connect with shared experiences while uplifting voices that have too often been unheard or overlooked. I push beyond the traditional boundaries of collage through a meticulous process that requires no substrate, allowing each piece to exist as its own dimensional universe. Using deconstructed materials sourced from comic books and graphic novels, I interlock, weave, overlap, and micro-collage thousands of fragments to create intricate paper sculptures that explore themes of Afrofuturism, spirituality, resilience, and the divine nature of womanhood.
The floating presentation of each piece enhances its ethereal quality, blurring the line between sculpture and collage while inviting deeper contemplation. Infused with intention, symbolism, and meticulous craftsmanship, my work is meant to draw viewers into worlds where color, meaning, and magic converge, offering space for connection, healing, and transformation.
Noreen 'Justis' Smith
GALLERY
Soft Black Wool and a Can of Whop Ass
Hand Cut Paper Collage
60.96 X 39.37 cm / 24 X 15.5 in
NFS
Angry or Assertive? May the Bridges I Burn Light the Way!
Hand Cut Paper Collage
54.61 X 48.26 cm / 21.5 X 19 in
Beneath the Veil
Hand Cut Paper Collage
60.96 X 39.37 cm / 24 X 15.5 in
Siren Song
Hand Cut Paper Collage
48.26 X 24.13 cm / 19 X 19.5 in
Soft Metal Smile
Hand Cut Paper Collage
18 x 24 in / 45.7 x 60.9 cm
High Water Deep Roots
Hand Cut Paper Collage
35.56 X 26.67 cm / 14 X 10.5 in
Contact Us
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NJustis Art
