Kevin Sampson (artist)

Kevin Blythe Sampson
Born 1954 (age 63–64)
Elizabeth, New Jersey U.S.
Nationality American
Education Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts
Known for Found Object Sculptures
Retired police officer
Movement Contemporary

Kevin Blythe Sampson (born 1954) is an African-American artist and retired police officer living in Newark, New Jersey. Sampson makes sculptures from discarded found objects that act as memorials for various people who have died.[1] Sampson still has a studio based out of Newark.[2]

Early life and education

Sampson was born in 1954 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.[1] Following High School, Sampson became a police office with the Scotch Plains Police Department in Scotch Plains, NJ.[3] During his career as a Police Officer, Sampson worked as a Composite Sketch Artist for the Scotch Plains Police Department.[4]

Sampson moved to Newark in 1993.[5] He attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts.[4][6]

Sampson is an artist, who focused on his artistic practice full-time following the deaths of close family members and his retirement from the Scotch Plains Police Department.[7][3]

Career

Sampson makes sculptures from found objects (such as, glass cabinet knobs, sticks, strings, screws, and wood chips) that act as altars, memorials, and spiritual objects.[1][2] Sampson began making art as a means to heal after the death of several family members and a new way to provide a service for the community.[8][3] In the early 1990's, Sampson's wife, Pamela, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and their son, Kyle, was born prematurely and died.[9] Sampson's work has been influenced by other New York artists who honor the dead through vernacular memorials. His work differs from these artists since most create murals in Latin American neighborhoods, street-side, altar-like assemblages of objects meant to last through only a brief public-display period of remembrance and grief.[10]

Sampson’s work references and incorporates African spiritual traditions, including Yoruba, and follow the traditions of the Griot or storyteller.[11][1] Much of Sampson's work offers commentary on issues of race, racism, and various forms of systemic injustice in the United States.[4][1]

Alongside other Newark-based artists, Sampson has spoken out against the recent, ongoing gentrification taking place in Newark, NJ.[5][12]

Selected exhibitions

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Wojcik, Daniel (2016). Outsider Art: Visionary Worlds and Trauma. University Press of Mississippi.
  2. 1 2 "With African-American art hot, Newark Museum showcases 'Modern Heroics'". NJ.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  3. 1 2 3 "Kevin Sampson: Memorial Maker | The Folk Art Society of America". folkart.org. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  4. 1 2 3 Westin, Monica (January 25, 2013). "An Ill Wind Blowing: Kevin Blythe Sampson". Bad At Sports.
  5. 1 2 Adarlo, Sharon (2014-06-19). "Gentrification fuels rift among Newark's local artists". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  6. ↑ "Kevin Blythe Sampson Biography – Kevin Blythe Sampson on artnet". www.artnet.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  7. ↑ Sellen, Betty-Carol (2000). Self-Taught, Outsider and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786407453.
  8. ↑ "MAVERICK!: The New at Cavin-Morris". issuu. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  9. ↑ "Kevin Sampson: Memorial Maker | The Folk Art Society of America". folkart.org. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  10. ↑ "Kevin Sampson: Memorial Maker | The Folk Art Society of America". folkart.org. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  11. ↑ Nyland, Jean; Friedman, Betty (2016-10-01). "Roots of the Spirit and The Red Book". Jung Journal. 10 (4): 40–56. doi:10.1080/19342039.2016.1226627. ISSN 1934-2039.
  12. ↑ Davis, Noah. "How to make it as an artist in New York". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  13. ↑ "Past Exhibitions". Gregg Museum of Art & Design, North Carolina State University. 2012.
  14. ↑ "Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art". The Folk Art Society of America. 2013.
  15. ↑ "Exhibitions and Catalogues". Wiegand Gallery, Notre Dame de Namur University. 2014.
  16. ↑ "Two Chelsea Galleries Go Wall Out for Summer". Hyperallergic. July 14, 2015.
  17. ↑ Johnson, Ken (July 9, 2015). "Review: 'Anthems for the Mother Earth Goddess'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  18. ↑ "Modern Heroics". Newark Museum. 2016.
  19. ↑ "Artists | Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program". thestudioprogram.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  20. ↑ "Joan Mitchell Foundation » Artist Programs » Artist Grants". joanmitchellfoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  21. ↑ Foundation, Joan Mitchell. "Joan Mitchell Foundation » Joan Mitchell Center » Artist Programs". joanmitchellfoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
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