Biography

Matt James Smith (b. 1980) is an artist and filmmaker born and based in County Durham, North East England.

He was raised by his painter mother and photographer father on a Category D listed terrace in a former colliery village in west Durham. His work often documents deindustrialised landscapes and communities, in particular the former coalfield where he grew up.

Matt works slowly and thoughtfully, through long-term presence and engagement. He holds an MFA and a practice-led PhD in lens-based media from Newcastle University.

He now lives a few miles from his childhood home with his wife and their two children.

Matt is open to editorial commissions and collaborative projects with organisations whose work aligns with his own - particularly those focused on community, social change, and the cultural landscape of North East England. For other enquiries, get in touch.