skip to Main Content

Donald Smith

I was invited to the grand halls of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths to discuss my proposal for the Aidan Threlfall Award and received the life changing cheque that would help cover my flight and living expenses in Africa.

The Aidan Threlfall Trust gave me a unique opportunity at a time when I was emerging as an artist and as a person. I have reflected on this a great deal over the years and it is clear that the Award has affected me in unexpected ways. I currently teach at Chelsea College of Arts, I am Chair of Trustees of the arts education charity Chelsea Arts Club Trust, and I am a Trustee of the KEL Trust. Supporting emerging talented but cash strapped artists and designers is an important part of my life and this has come as a direct result of the support that I received and the example set by the Aidan Threlfall Trust. I am eternally grateful.

The time I spent in Nigeria is indelibly etched on my mind and the influence of the Yoruba is still evident in my artwork thirty years later.