Kevin Sampson (artist)

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]

Kevin Blythe Sampson
Born1954 (age 65–66)
Elizabeth, New Jersey U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationNewark School of Fine and Industrial Arts
Known forFound Object Sculptures
Retired police officer
MovementContemporary

Early life and education

Sampson was born in 1954 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.[1] Following high school and a few years of college, Sampson became a police officer and then a Detective with the Scotch Plains Police Department NJ.[3] During his career as a Police Officer, Sampson worked as a composite sketch artist for the Scotch Plains Police Department.[4] Sampson is the first African American Uniformed Police Composite sketch artist in the country. Sampson considers himself to be a civil rights Baby. His Father Stephen Sampson was a civil rights leader for over 50 years in and around New Jersey. Sampson grew up in a household where many of New jersey Civil rights and civil unrest marches were planned. His household was always a focal point for meetings, many civil rights leaders came to Sampson's House, including, Dick Gregory,Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Robert Ferris Thompson and William Kunsler. Congress Woman Shirley Chisholm, was one of Sampson's fathers Mentors, she was a frequent Dinner Guest at his house, growing up.

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 has been a gallery Artist with Cavin-Morris Gallery NY,NY since 1992 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 1990s, 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.[9]

Sampson's work references and incorporates African spiritual traditions, including Yoruba, and follow the traditions of the Griot or storyteller.[10][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. Sampson has completed a number of residencies all over the country. Including The Marie Walsh Sharp Space program, NY.NY. A teaching Residency at the John Michael Kohler art Center, in Sheboygan Wisconsin. The Joan Mitchell Centers Residency in New Orleans. The Art and Industry Residency at the Kohler, Kohler Wisconsin and most recently, the Inaugural Residency at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Conn.[5][11] Sampson was selected to appear on the long running PBS Cartoon, Arthur, he was turned into a cartoon, did the voice over, and will appear as his self, an artist and teacher in a segment which will be released some time in the beginning of 2020. Sampson along with Newark Photographer Cesar Melgar has been invited to exhibit and teach at this years 2019 International Society of Biourbanism Design Summer School. Which will take place in Artena, Italy which is province of Rome, he has been selected along with Thinkers, designers, writers, entrepreneurs, politicians, economists, citizens, activists, and artists, from all around the world.

Selected exhibitions

Awards

 
 1989 New Jersey 200 Clubs metal of Valor
  • 1994: Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation, Artist-in-Residence (New York, New York)[18]
  • 2001: Joan Mitchell Foundation, Painters & Sculptors Grant (New Orleans, Louisiana)[19]
  • 2016: Joan Mitchell Center, Artist-in-Residence (New Orleans, Louisiana)[20]
  • 2017: John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kohler Arts and Industry Residency (Kohler Village, Wisconsin)
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References
  1. Wojcik, Daniel (2016). Outsider Art: Visionary Worlds and Trauma. University Press of Mississippi.
  2. "With African-American art hot, Newark Museum showcases 'Modern Heroics'". NJ.com. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  3. "Kevin Sampson: Memorial Maker | The Folk Art Society of America". folkart.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  4. Westin, Monica (January 25, 2013). "An Ill Wind Blowing: Kevin Blythe Sampson". Bad At Sports.
  5. Adarlo, Sharon (June 19, 2014). "Gentrification fuels rift among Newark's local artists". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  6. "Kevin Blythe Sampson Biography – Kevin Blythe Sampson on artnet". www.artnet.com. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  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 March 11, 2017.
  9. "Kevin Sampson: Memorial Maker | The Folk Art Society of America". folkart.org. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  10. Nyland, Jean; Friedman, Betty (October 1, 2016). "Roots of the Spirit and The Red Book". Jung Journal. 10 (4): 40–56. doi:10.1080/19342039.2016.1226627. ISSN 1934-2039.
  11. Davis, Noah. "How to make it as an artist in New York". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  12. "Past Exhibitions". Gregg Museum of Art & Design, North Carolina State University. 2012.
  13. "Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art". The Folk Art Society of America. 2013.
  14. "Exhibitions and Catalogues". Wiegand Gallery, Notre Dame de Namur University. 2014.
  15. "Two Chelsea Galleries Go Wall Out for Summer". Hyperallergic. July 14, 2015.
  16. Johnson, Ken (July 9, 2015). "Review: 'Anthems for the Mother Earth Goddess'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  17. "Modern Heroics". Newark Museum. 2016.
  18. "Artists | Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program". thestudioprogram.com. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  19. "Joan Mitchell Foundation » Artist Programs » Artist Grants". joanmitchellfoundation.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  20. Foundation, Joan Mitchell. "Joan Mitchell Foundation » Joan Mitchell Center » Artist Programs". joanmitchellfoundation.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
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