2024
39” x 27” x 3”, Spraypaint, Sanded Rag Paper, Acrylic, Wax Pencil, Pastel, Vintage Toy on Birch Panel
Born in Los Angeles, 1983, and residing on Kaua’i since 2015. Sam began his career in 1999, within the Los Angeles graffiti sub-culture, which continually serves as the foundation for his process and aesthetic. His formative years of painting in the streets are reflected in his work and can be identified within his techniques, mediums, and approach. Samuel has studied and worked in varying facets of commercial and fine arts— in parallel with his fine art career, he has worked for over 23 years as a fashion designer and director in commercial arts. His work has been described as a window into the nuances of modern culture, mysticism, and life cycles. Notably, Samuel’s work has been exhibited in museums such as The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles, The Bishop Museum in Honolulu, and has work in the permanent collection of the Hawaii State Art Museum.
Born in Stockton, California,1947, resides on Kaua’i where she offers printmaking residencies to emerging and established artists. In her own practice, French uses mixed media on paper and wood to present narratives gleaned from personal and topical concerns. Her methods and materials include monotype, digital print, screenprint, spraypaint, resin, collâge or drawing and painting. French has taught and shown widely with venues for significant exhibits: New Orleans Center for the Arts, The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu; Schaefer International Gallery at the MACC; Tarble Art Center at University of Eastern Illinois; iGallery, Chicago; Heidi Cho Gallery, NYC; The Honolulu Museum; Hawaii State Art Museum; Koa Gallery at Kapiolani College; Commons Gallery at UH Manoa and TCM at The First Hawaiian Center. French has been the recipient of an NEA Project Grant, SFCA Individual Artist Grant, Los Angeles Contemporary Artist Project Grant (LAce), Japanese Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Artist Award and was a past Honolulu Printmakers Gift Print Artist. She most recently has been awarded the Schaefer Portrait Challenge Winner, 2021 and Maui Inaugural Biennial Juror’s Award, 2022. Publications include: New American Painting #45 and #55, Flux Magazine, and Artists Hawaii. “I never end a piece or series, it’s merely a pause in a constant stream of expression, like breath, necessary and part of my being. I don’t see myself as a complete entity either, I am open and move forward by waves or currents presented to me by collaboration with my environment and other artists.”
