{{Short description|Canadian artist}} {{distinguish|Matthew Smiley}} {{Infobox artist |image=File:Matt Smiley Jeff Xander.png |website={{URL|https://www.mattsmiley.com|mattsmiley.com}} }} '''Matt Smiley''' (born 1981) is a Canadian artist.<ref name="Artsy">{{cite web |url=https://www.artsy.net/artist/matt-smiley |title=Matt Smiley - Biography, Shows, Articles & More |website=Artsy |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref>
== Biography ==
Growing up in Quebec, Smiley initially pursued acting before focusing on visual arts. He has spoken of being influenced by Marilyn Manson.<ref name="HollywoodReporter">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/how-marilyn-manson-inspires-an-artist-known-smiley-faces-1177462/ |title=How Marilyn Manson Inspires an Artist Known for Smiley Faces |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2019-01-18 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref>
== Art career ==
=== Selected exhibitions ===
* 2024: "Love, Nostalgia, & the Tempest of my Mind," 1 Hotel West Hollywood, CA.<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Jane |title=Artist Matt Smiley's New Exhibit Is a '90s Ode to 'Love' and 'Nostalgia' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/artist-matt-smileys-new-exhibit-90s-ode-love-nostalgia-1970804 |work=Newsweek |date=2024-10-17 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref> * 2023: "Emotions: Work in Progress," at 1 Hotel West Hollywood, CA, with proceeds benefiting TreePeople.<ref name="HollywoodLife">{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2023/12/13/matt-smiley-to-unveil-his-work-in-progress-emotions-exhibition/ |title=Matt Smiley Unveils His Exhibition ‘Work in Progress: Emotions’ at 1 Hotel West Hollywood |website=HollywoodLife |date=2023-12-13 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref>
== Documentary filmmaking ==
Smiley has earned acclaim for his documentaries: *''Highway of Tears'' (2014) - Directed by Smiley, this documentary focuses on the missing women along Highway 16 in British Columbia.<ref name="VancouverSun">{{cite news |title=Film shines light on ‘forgotten’ Highway of Tears women |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/movies/film-shines-light-on-forgotten-highway-of-tears-women |work=Vancouver Sun |date=2015-02-24 |access-date=2025-09-22}}</ref> *''For Love'' (2022) - Narrated by Shania Twain, this documentary addresses the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in Canada's foster care system.<ref name="USMagazine">{{cite news |title=Shania Twain Narrates Documentary 'For Love': Details |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/shania-twain-narrates-documentary-for-love-details/ |work=US Magazine |date=2022-05-16 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref><ref name="ParkRecord">{{cite news |title=Documentary addresses the loss and reconnection with culture |url=https://www.parkrecord.com/2022/05/16/documentary-addresses-the-loss-and-reconnection-with-culture/ |work=Park Record |date=2022-05-16 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref><ref name="CBC">{{cite news |title=New film narrated by Shania Twain an ode to Indigenous love and resistance |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/for-love-documentary-1.6195398 |work=CBC News |date=2021-10-03 |access-date=2025-09-22}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Smiley was previously married to actress Lyndsy Fonseca. The couple married in April 2009 but separated in July 2012. Fonseca filed for divorce in January 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. There were no children from the marriage.<ref name="[TMZ](https://x.com/i/grok?text=TMZ)">{{cite web |url=http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/13/kick-ass-lyndsy-fonseca-divorce/ |title='Kick-Ass' Star Lyndsy Fonseca Files for Divorce |website=TMZ |date=2013-01-13 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://www.mattsmiley.com Official website] {{DEFAULTSORT:Smiley, Matt}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century Canadian male artists Category:21st-century Canadian artists Category:Canadian documentary film directors Category:1981 births