Vancouver natives are amazing with their versatility and ability to successfully realize themselves in several spheres at the same time.
Jean Smith is a vivid example. She is a singer, artist, writer, lecturer and film director. Despite such a multitude of roles, the woman managed to become famous and successfully engage in all these activities, developing herself and her potential.
Learn more about this amazing woman at ivancouver. (Source: jeansmithpainter)
Multifaceted personality
Jean Smith is known in the musical world as a singer of the Mecca Normal band. Her achievements in art, writing, teaching and directing have also brought her immense fame. In addition, the woman is interested in feminism and anti-authoritarianism.
Beginning of her musical career
It all started when Jean met her bandmate David Lester in 1981. At that time, they worked for a local Vancouver newspaper.
Important project
In 1986, Jean and David created the Black Wedge project. It involved anti-authoritarian musicians and poets who toured the USA, England and Canada.
Thanks to her participation in Mecca Normal, Jean is considered one of the founders of the 1990s movement called Riot Grrrl. It had a significant influence on many female performers.
Writing
In the summer of 1993, Lester’s publishing company published Jean’s first prose work I Can Hear Me Fine. In 1998, the world saw her another creation The Ghost of Understanding: A Novel.
Later, Lester’s publishing house published Jean’s The Family Swan and Other Songs and Two Stories.
In 2000 and 2006, Jean received awards from the Canada Council for the Arts. The woman was recognized as a professional fiction writer.
Artist
In 2000, multifaceted Jean Smith presented watercolour self-portraits painted from 1973 to 1999. The display of the series became part of the Mecca Normal event, which combined music, art and lectures.
Later, Jean and David began to hold such events in various institutions, such as universities, schools, art galleries and even bookstores. In 2009, they organized a similar event as part of the tour celebrating Mecca Normal ‘s 25th anniversary.
Subsequently, Jean continued to supplement her portrait exhibition with new watercolour works. She also added photographs and video materials.
In August 2009, Jean’s photographs were exhibited at the Fontanelle Gallery in Portland. The exhibition was dedicated to the release of The Art of Touring, a collection of photos, paintings and compositions created by musicians about touring. Jean’s contribution to the collection was represented by abstract paintings and a sketch of the New York tour of Mecca Normal on September 11, 2001.
Jean Smith can be considered one of the most multifaceted natives of Vancouver. After all, she successfully engages and combines different activities. Who knows, maybe Jean Smith’s potential hides even more talents that will someday make her even more famous and show her new and amazing side.
Photo sources: jeansmithpainter, wikipedia