Chicago-based Shawn Smith is best known as the artist and designer behind Shawnimals and Ninjatown. His primary focus in recent years has been on fine art and illustration, creating a wide variety of drawings, paintings, sculptural works, live art, and public murals—particularly his "shapes" which are featured in an animated commercial for the Illinois Department of Human Services and many walls across Chicagoland.
His character-based body of work explores ideas of memory, friendship, community, diversity, and inclusivity, showing a wide range of not only sizes, shapes, and colors, but also emotions and perspectives. Smith's hope is that the work will be indicative of the support that true community can build. Simply put, he wants to delight and inspire people everywhere with his work.
