Sable Elyse Smith's 'Clockwork' Exhibition Opens at FLAG Art Foundation

Sable Elyse Smith's exhibition "Clockwork" is set to open at The FLAG Art Foundation in New York City on September 24, 2026, following its prior presentation at The Contemporary Austin. This exhibition, which will run through February 13, 2027, features a multidisciplinary collection of new and recent works including sculpture, video, neon, and photography. "Clockwork" is a significant presentation for Smith, who was the 2026 recipient of the Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize, an award that supports artists exploring critical themes through their work. For its New York iteration, The FLAG Art Foundation is transforming the exhibition space into an immersive, stage-like environment, aiming to amplify the cinematic qualities inherent in Smith's practice. The exhibition delves into the pervasive systems that shape daily existence, with a particular focus on policing, incarceration, entertainment, and language. Smith critically examines how these forces intersect and influence societal structures and individual experiences. Central to "Clockwork" are two video installations. "LAUGH TRACK, OR WHO’S THAT PEEKING IN MY WINDOW" (2021) is presented alongside "skin suit" (2026), a new video created specifically for the Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize. Both videos incorporate a blend of found and original footage, drawing inspiration from police chase sequences and bodycam imagery that has become prevalent through reality television programming. By juxtaposing suspense, humor, and discomfort, Smith's videos expose the underlying biases embedded within these visual narratives. Smith's sculptural works also reinterpret familiar objects, challenging viewers' perceptions. For instance, stools typically found in prison waiting rooms are reconfigured into star-like forms reminiscent of children's jacks, while other sculptures extend from walls in cruciform shapes. These transformations blur the lines between associations of punishment, play, and belief, prompting contemplation on their interconnectedness. The neon works in "Clockwork" utilize the visual language of commercial and institutional signage to explore the power of language. Smith manipulates these familiar signifiers to investigate how words can perpetuate prejudice, while also suggesting their potential to be subverted and redirected toward more liberating expressions. The exhibition's run at The FLAG Art Foundation, located at 545 W 25th St, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001, provides a substantial period for the public to engage with these complex themes.