sam kirk has had a guilty, fanatical, "can't live without you," on-going, messy, obsessive, passionate, gut-wrenching, LOVE affair with ART since she was old enough to draw on walls (seriously, ask her mom).
The love affair has nurtured her "somewhat" ("somewhat" cause' she denies it fervently) O.C.D. tendencies to stay up all night to develop and master skills that infuse her artistic vocabulary; all of which have led her to become the ever-evolving risk-taker that she is as a painter, sculptor, and freelance interior architect/designer. Sam Kirk is 1/5th Mexican, Irish, German, Native American and Puerto Rican and was born on the South Side of Chicago (near the mobsters -shhh).
The Windy City not only caters to the wild nature of her curls, sending them in every direction possible, but the city has also been the basis of inspiration for the stories that unravel and behold her artwork. Kirk is obsessed with culture, culture-clashes, the magic in ordinary people, man-made vs. nature and the unspoken stories of the streets.
Kirk has done over 20 exhibits, started a clothing line with 200+ pieces of merchandise sold within its first two years (60% of which were custom designs from national and international customers) has had 28 art commissions, redesigned 5 different homes and countless pro-bono projects. Despite being quoted saying she'd "PICK UP A PAINT BRUSH BEFORE A BOOK" Kirk double majored with a BA in marketing and another in interior architecture.
Sam was recently featured as one of twelve artists for Chicago's Artists Month, selected to represent the city of Chicago for Scion's Art X-Change Program, and worked with Details Magazine and Macy's to produce custom painted apparel for the Details Men's Fall Fashion Event. Her solo show titled "i am" was selected for the Grand Opening of a new gallery in Chicago's South Loop, The Elephant Room, which will sell everyday goods (t-shirts, prints, magnets, etc.) of Kirk's work in February 2011. Kirk is currenty working on a collabration project with a faux artist and muralist to artistically develop the interior of a new music venue in Lincolnshire, IL. As if that wasn't enough, she is knee deep in three new art series that will launch in 2011, highlighting both her 2D and 3D work.
Sam Kirk plays with intentional and unintentional notions of conflict that aim to disturb, provoke and awake the sleeping giants within us, since often we should face what is more comfortable to ignore. In her new work you will see the use of raw materials such as wood, steel, glass, etc. joined with paint and with a focus on merging cultures and cultural practices such as branding and regenerating symbols. Alas, Dr. Suess will always have a place in her heart, chocolate is her weakness, she is a retired footwork dancer, FB stalkers turn her off, and her mission is to try green eggs and ham because "i am sam."
bio written by Desiree T. Castro
Recent Events & Exhibits:
September 27th - November 17th
Chicago Artists Month
Elephant Room Gallery
704 S. Wabash
Chicago, IL
Closing Reception:
November 12th, 6pm - 10pm
October 2010
Scion Art X-Change Program
NOVEMBER 4th
Details Magazine Men's Fashion Event
_ Macy's on State Street , Chicago
on-site apparel customization
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Artwork also available for purchase online at:
www.elephantroomgallery.com
Chicago featured artist for Scion X-Change 29 city tour to benefit non-profit arts organizations
Featured Artists for Chicago Artist Month 2010
Featured Artists - Chicago Artists Resource
Gozamos Event Feature for Common Ground Exhibit
Featured Event for Common Ground Exhibit
Hello Chicago - Featured Artist
sam_iamsamkirk.com
773.814.4882
