Author of The Art of Life, Financial TImes UK, Enuma Okoro included a thoughtful consideration of my painting “White Napkin, Fork and Knife" in her weekly column on May 24, 2026.

“I like the seemingly simplicity of the 2023 work “White Napkin, Fork and Knife” by contemporary American artist Carrie Mae Smith. The daughter of a butcher, Smith spent time working as a chef while deepening her art practice. Her work considers themes of labor, class, tradition, love and utility. This painting shows a plain silver knife and fork, lying on a folded white napkin set against a cream background. There is no place setting, but the napkin appears to be thick and slightly frayed around the edges, which makes me imagine this could be at a public eatery rather than a private home.

“We often turn to food, not simply to stave off hunger, but as a way to feed or recall a certain emotion”

While considering this image, I wondered about a few things. That first was perhaps Obvious what do I feel like eating and strangely enough? I started thinking about peanut butter and honey sandwiches….”

Read the full article here: https://www.ft.com/content/6427ada4-87c4-42cd-8dd5-a6c477dba723?syn-25a6b1a6=1