Lionel Smit was born in Pretoria in 1982 and lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a widely recognised artist celebrated for his captivating portraits and profound explorations of identity. With a career spanning over two decades, Smit has exhibited his works extensively both locally and internationally and has been featured in prestigious collections and institutions worldwide. Smit’s painting has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London, receiving the Visitors' Choice - BP Portrait Award in 2013. Museum shows include solo exhibitions at MOCA Miami (Museum of Contemporary Art, Miami) and at the Didrichsen Art Museum in Helsinki, Finland.