Duncan McGillivray-Smith is an artist from New York got his BFA from Pratt institute. His work is influenced by art historical narratives, as-well as nature, humor and color. While at SAIC he was heavily influenced by the Art institute of Chicago. In which multiple visits a week became important in his practice. For his thesis show he wanted to display his affection for the history of painting in a humorous light, while simultaneously exploring themes of color, pattern, and landscape.