The California-born artist Alexis Smith grew up in Covina, on the grounds opposite a mental hospital. It wasn’t a coincidence; her father was a psychiatrist who treated patients at the facility. “It was just off enough to be affecting,” Smith has said. “It had that edge of non reality, of literal craziness.” She responded to the “non reality” by making collages, cutting up words and images and combining them to great effect. The collages eventually led her to art school at UC Irvine, class of 1970, and over the years her practice grew to include gallery installations. Smith’s practice is one of assemblage. She is now 73. This is her first retrospective in her home state in 30 years. —Elena Clavarino