An Interview With Kansas Smeaton

Kansas Smeaton's paintings explore the complex interplay of power, gender, and sexuality, challenging traditional art historical representations and societal norms. Drawing on her upbringing in a liberal New Zealand community, Smeaton's work champions autonomy, freedom, and self-expression. Through symbolic portraiture and references to still life, memento mori, and religion, she critiques outdated ideas surrounding gender and sexuality, particularly those rooted in Christian ideology. Her powerful portraits celebrate individuals who defy categorization and embrace their authentic selves, including women practicing liberation, members of the LGBTI community, sex workers, and others who exist outside conventional definitions. These subjects, far from being victims, exude confidence and reclaim their bodily autonomy, sexuality, and eroticism.

Can you tell us a little bit about you?

I’m a painter living in Sydney, Australia. My mum Is kiwi (I was also born in New Zealand) and my Dad is Lebanese. I have a quiet life, my days are filled with painting, gardening and doting over my two cats and German shepherd.

You focus on individuals who live authentically, often outside of societal norms. How do you ensure that your representations are respectful and avoid falling into stereotypes or tokenism?

I always approach my portraits as a collaboration. When I ask someone to sit for me there is discussion about ideas and themes and I am very happy for any input. My main goal is for people to feel proud of who they are and I want to honour their sense of self. When I'm thinking about subjects one of the main things I'm looking for is a sense courage and power, and what I find in them is a rejection of the status quo powered by unapologetic authenticity.

How do you select the subjects for your portraits? What qualities do you look for in the individuals you choose to paint?

I look for a sense of power. A sense of someone living the way that they choose to live, unbound by ideas of strict binaries or norms. Peoples whose lives are not dictated by systems of power traditionally, and currently, used to oppress and control, despite any resistance to who they are. The courage to say this is me and I will not dampen that for anyone else.

You believe in using your art to challenge societal expectations. How do you believe authentic and nuanced representations of marginalized groups can empower individuals and shift societal perspectives?

I think images are powerful tools in shaping ideas around who we are and what is possible. Growing up in the 90's and being a teenager throughout the early-mid 00's, there was only one type of hero or aspirational character being portrayed in western media. That person, who was the pinnacle of desire, created a very narrow rubric of what was beautiful, what was morally good and what was to be aspired to. While 'others' were often stereotyped into another, often derogatory or humiliating, category. Thankfully we have come a long way since then due to the diverse voices that we now have in the arts, however, I feel as though we are still on shaky ground. I really do believe that it's important to continue to create images that uplift those who have been underrepresented, or misrepresented, and to show people that it is possible to hold your own power. I also believe that with that visibility comes permission for others who might have not yet found their courage. Images are very powerful in this way.

What do you hope viewers will take away from experiencing your work?

Of course I always hope that viewers will be compelled to delve more into the work and its symbolism and consider how it plays out in the world and perhaps even their role in the world as it stands... I also hope viewers can acknowledge that I have laboured, toiled, obsessed over, and poured everything I have into each inch of every painting.

How do you see your work evolving in the future?

I would like to create bigger and more complex multi figure works! And find the perfect studio that allows me to do that.

What role did art play in your upbringing, and were there any specific artists or art movements that significantly influenced your early development?

I grew up in a very creative household. While art wasn't necessarily a focus, there was never any disapproval in building a career in the arts, in fact it was pretty much encouraged, so I never felt like being an artist was a transgression. I can't recall any specific influential art movements but I do remember being absolutely obsessed with James Mayhew's children’s book 'Katie and the starry night,' where Katie steps into alternate worlds through the paintings in the museum.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as an artist?

Capitalism haha.

Your favourite book or film and why?

I have two favourite films - Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola for the wonderfully camp and over the top portrait of Versailles and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet again for the visual frenzy that it is. I tend to be drawn to films for the visual components rather than the storyline.

Are you working on any projects you are particularly excited about?

Yes! I've contributed to a book put together by Arts Matter which will be published by Thames and Hudson, I have two works going to LA for Felix art fair with COMA gallery and I will have my third solo, also with COMA gallery, in June 2025 :)

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