joshua smith miniaturizes hong kong urban life through tiny architectural settings

australia-based miniaturist, joshua smith, has completed a project based on 23 temple street, kowloon, hong kong. the project is built from scratch, using wood, cardboard, plastic card, chalk pastels, spraypaint, wire, and plastruct. the 1:20 scale miniature was designed for VOLTA art fair which took place in march of 2017.

all images by andrew beveridge/ASB creative

kowloon is the most populous urban area in hong kong, making it a prime subject for smith‘s work. his miniature works primarily focus on the often overlooked aspects of the urban environment such as grime, rust, and decay or discarded cigarettes and graffiti. through careful observation, smith recreates detailed replicas that mimic real life.

smith captures often overlooked aspects of the urban environment

with a career spanning 17 years, smith has showcased his work in london, paris, berlin, new york, japan and all over australia in over 100 exhibitions. formerly a self taught stencil artist josh refocused his career to establishing espionage gallery, an art gallery based in adelaide, south australia. most recently, his work has been shown at muriel guepin gallery in new york and at the VOLTA art fair in new york city.

decay, peeling walls, and graffiti are re-created in the replicas

the inclusion of graffiti and other signs captures the vivid environment of hong-kong 

the project is built from scratch

smith employs mixed media such as wood, cardboard and plastic cards

kowloon is the most populous urban area in hong kong

the miniature is built at a 1:20 scale

smith has showcased his work in london, paris, berlin, new york, japan and all over australia i

miniature take-out boxes an newspapers decorate the space  

the project was designed for VOLTA art fair which took place in march of 2017