Keir Smith (b. 1950) studied at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1969-73) and Chelsea School of Art (1973-75).   At both institutions he was taught by Ian Stephenson, whom he regards as a formative influence on his work.   He was Junior Fellow at Cardiff College of Art (175-76), Sculptor-in-Residence at Grizdale Forest, Cumberland (1979) and won the Royal Society of Arts Art for Architecture Award (1992).

Since 1976, he has exhibited widely in the UK.   Recent solo exhibitions include Ognissanti at the Concourse Gallery, Barbican Centre, London (1998); A Lily Among Thorns at Sixchapelrow Contemporary Art, Bath (2000); Enclosed Garden in the Cloisters of Lincoln Cathedral (2001); Landscape with Carlo and Elena at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London (2003); and Carlo's Nail Revisited at Wingfield Arts, Suffolk (2004).

His work is represented in various public collections including The British Council, Northern Arts, South East Arts, The University of Warwick, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Kent County Council, Middlesbrough Art Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum and The Royal Institute of British Architects.