Author: Sam Art

Miguel Barros, born in Lisbon in 1962, is an artist with deep roots in Portugal, Canada, and Angola. His creative journey spans continents, and his work reflects the richness of these diverse cultural experiences. Barros graduated from IADE Lisbon in 1984, earning a degree in Architecture and Design, and this architectural background continues to inform his artistic approach. In 2014, Barros relocated from Angola to Calgary, Alberta, where he further expanded his creative horizons. His background in design and architecture has become a vital part of his painting, blending structure and imagination in unique ways. Barros’ art stands at the…

Lidia Paladino’s creative journey has been one of continual discovery and growth. She started out with a focus on drawing and engraving, later turning her attention to textile design, where she spent years perfecting her craft. After taking a break, Paladino returned to engraving, revitalizing her approach by incorporating modern techniques that have significantly expanded her practice. In 2003, she earned the First Municipal Prize for Engraving, a turning point in her artistic career. Paladino has also developed a fascination for diverse materials, experimenting with handmade paper and integrating found objects into her relief works. Her early engraving, Presencias (1995), stands as…

Camille Ross, an American photographer born in 1964 in San Francisco, California, grew up straddling two vastly different worlds: the radical culture of Berkeley in the 1970s and the rural life of Mississippi. This blend of contrasting environments, alongside her biracial heritage and Cherokee ancestry, has shaped her work as an artist and her understanding of societal dynamics. Ross’s photography often centers on themes of marginalization, cultural identity, and the power dynamics that govern the way we see and represent people, particularly women of color. Her latest project, “The Women,” pushes boundaries by offering a new perspective on women from…

Kimberly McGuiness, an American artist, channels her spirited soul and enchanting narratives into pieces that draw viewers into realms where nature, mythology, and circus magic intertwine. Passion pulses through her work like a heartbeat, especially in her recurring motifs of horses and peacocks. These majestic creatures symbolize grace, beauty, and the untamed spirit that flows through her creations. Specializing in interactive art forms, Kimberly merges creativity with utility, crafting books, journals, and coloring pages that serve as portals to magical realms. Her work invites exploration and personal discovery, blending visual storytelling with functional art. Whether through intricate details or sweeping…

Nancy Staub Laughlin began her career with a BFA degree from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, PA. Over the years, she has exhibited at different galleries and museums throughout the East Coast. One of her most memorable moments came when Sam Hunter, an esteemed art critic and historian of modern and contemporary art, reviewed her work, calling it “refreshingly unique.” Laughlin’s approach to drawing is both different and passionate, with her vision remaining consistent throughout her career. Despite evolving over time, her style remains unmistakable, allowing viewers to instantly recognize her work. Laughlin’s pieces often explore the interplay between light,…

Mary Sully: Modern NativeMetropolitan Museum of Art, until January 12, 2025The Met hosts the first solo exhibition of drawings by the late Yankton Dakota artist Mary Sully (1896-1963), who combined the traditional aesthetics of the Dakota and other indigenous groups with the Art Nouveau style and popular culture of her time. Largely unknown until the 21st century, Sully is now famous for his “personality prints” – abstract triptych portraits of people like Fiorello La Guardia, Babe Ruth and Gertrude Stein. Sully was born on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota and had a complex family history. His mother, Susan…

Clint Anthony is a visual artist specializing in abstract and modern design. From 1996 to 2017, he immersed himself in New York City’s vibrant art scene, studying acting, voice, and stage performance at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and fine-tuning his craft at The Art Studio NYC. He curated exhibitions at The Gershwin Hotel in the late 1990s and collaborated with various artists in the city, working closely with video and photography. His years in New York exposed him to a dynamic range of artistic influences, which he has carried into his own practice. In 2017, Clint returned to Australia, bringing…

Vicky Tsalamata’s work, particularly her project La Comédie Humaine C, offers a deep reflection on the human condition. Drawing from Honoré de Balzac’s La Comédie Humaine, this piece serves as a sarcastic commentary on how humans, past and present, find themselves subject to the overwhelming forces that shape their lives. Tsalamata highlights the insignificance of human worth within this larger scheme, while also stressing the essential need for connection in today’s world—especially after the isolation experienced during the global pandemic. Using mixed media and archival prints on Photo Rag Hahnemuehle 100% cotton art paper, Tsalamata conveys the delicate yet enduring aspects of…

When pitcher Ryne Stanek put the finishing touches on the New York Mets’ 7-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox, it was clear that Tuesday was a perfect night. To be fair, it started that way too, with Sarah Sze releasing the first release and the first 15,000 fans receiving a baseball cap emblazoned with a blue and orange fragmented globe designed by the artist. The game marked the third and final edition of the Mets’ “Artist Series” program, where the team ditched the more typical bobblehead giveaways for items created by the best contemporary artists. In May, the team…

Caroline Kampfraath, a Dutch artist, creates compelling 3D sculptures that combine a variety of materials to reflect her observations on life, nature, and human relationships. Her art frequently incorporates surprising elements like metal cans, bottles, and even fragments of human anatomy. These objects serve as powerful symbols, allowing Kampfraath to explore themes of emotional depth and environmental awareness. Through her sculptures, she crafts a complex narrative that intertwines the physical world with abstract ideas about existence. One example of this is her work The Tentacles of the River, which blends human lungs with jellyfish to emphasize our delicate link to nature.…