Film and Video Umbrella commissioned Stephanie Smith and Edward Stewart as part of the programme ‘Instant’ in 1995. Subsequently they were commissioned to make ‘A Black Thread’ (2002), an installation that was unique for each of its stagings. This was exhibited at Chisenhale Gallery, London, Site Gallery, Sheffield and Milton Keynes Gallery. The artists’ work is also the subject of a Film and Video Umbrella book, Smith/Stewart.

Smith/Stewart have been working collaboratively since the mid-90s. Typically they use their own bodies as the source for their collaborative video installations and single-screen works. This allows them to explore gender interaction, and the works often have a threatening sense of imminent violence.

Smith/Stewart’s work has been widely shown, with solo exhibitions including Tramway, Glasgow; The Showroom, London; Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh; and Portikus, Frankfurt. Group shows have included Centre d´Art Contemporain, Geneva; Kunsthalle Bern; Cornerhouse, Manchester; and Smart Project Space, Amsterdam.