Claudia Smiley
About the Artwork
Kiwi 2
C print photograph
Kiwi 2 highlights Smiley’s eye for close observation and the beauty found within simple forms. Through crisp detail and luminous color, the photograph transforms an everyday fruit into a vibrant, almost sculptural composition. The image evokes freshness, energy, and a sense of play, qualities that create an uplifting visual experience for patients, visitors, and staff.
Orange with Yellow
C print photograph
Orange with Yellow pairs bold color with elegant simplicity. The bright, sun washed palette conveys warmth and optimism, while the clean composition offers a moment of calm clarity. The work reflects Smiley’s belief in the therapeutic potential of color and its ability to gently shift mood within a space.
Meltdown
C print photograph
Meltdown captures a whimsical moment suspended in time. With its dynamic textures and soft immediacy, the photograph suggests motion, transformation, and the humor inherent in imperfection. Smiley’s playful sensibility shines through, offering viewers an approachable and lighthearted visual pause.
Robust Rim
C print photograph
Robust Rim showcases Smiley’s fascination with shape and structure. Centered around the curve of a familiar object, the image emphasizes form, balance, and subtle contrast. The photograph’s quiet strength makes it a grounding presence within the built environment, encouraging contemplation and stability.
Neon Apples
C print photograph
Neon Apples bursts with vivid, electric color, reimagining a classic still life through a modern, energetic lens. The bold palette adds vibrancy and fun, demonstrating Smiley’s talent for turning ordinary subjects into uplifting visual experiences. The work brings a sense of cheer and brightness to the healing setting.
Location: All artworks by Claudia Smiley are located at Akron City Hospital on the ground floor in the Yellow Neighborhood near the cafeteria.
About the Artist
Claudia Smiley is a contemporary photographer whose work explores color, form, and the quiet emotional resonance found in everyday objects. Her practice blends playful experimentation with a refined sense of composition, resulting in imagery that feels both familiar and quietly surreal. Smiley’s c print photographs are known for their saturated palettes, soft textures, and subtly unexpected perspectives that invite viewers to see ordinary subjects with renewed curiosity. Her work brings warmth, levity, and visual delight to healing centered environments, encouraging moments of pause and reflection. To learn more about the artist, please explore her artist page at Bonfoey Gallery.