Gwen Samuels, Out of Context, 2021 Digital images printed on transparency, handstitched to wire
GWEN SAMUELS
As an established textile designer interested in surface patterns, Gwen Samuels transitioned at mid-career to making patterns for large-scale sculptural works. Using photography as a springboard, she reconfigures shapes and patterns in repeats on transparencies that interact with light and shadow and create relationships between positive and negative spaces. Emphasizing her textile background, Gwen connects the fragmented, abstract imagery into weblike structures by sewing with thread and wire to create geometric or representational imagery. In Merging Styles and Cultures #2, the artist organizes the images to delineate vessel silhouettes, commenting on cultural artifacts.
My name is Gwen Samuels and I consider my work mixed media installation. I’m based in Los Angeles with a studio in Santa Monica and originally from New York where I completed a BFA in textile design at Syracuse University. My inspirations are expressed through my reformatted photography which comes from close observations of my surroundings. My work takes various forms both flat and sculpted combined with delicate hand-stitching and multi-colored free hanging threads. I have exhibited in nine solo exhibitions across California and New Jersey, as well as numerous group exhibitions both locally and internationally. Just to name a few exhibitions: Second Nature, Pitzhanger Manor at Walpole Park, London (2014), Network-C.A.R. contemporary art ruhr, in Zaha Museum in Seoul (2013) “C.A.R.” Contemporary Art Ruhr in Zollverein World Heritage Site, Essen, Germany (2013). I was selected to to participate in a two-year artist in Embassies placement at the American Embassy in Greece for 2017-2019. I have shown my work in two Virtual Art Shows, The Other Art Fair in 2021 and Exhibizion in 2022. This past year of 2022, I was commissioned to create a 6 foot by 4 foot by 3 inch Kimono combining Japanese Culture and Patterning inspired by Tapas cloths from Pacific Islanders for an upscale hotel in Hawaii. My works and art inspirations have been covered by various media and publications including, Shout Out LA, Modern Luxury SanDiego, Art and Cake, Voyage LA, all are online just to name a few and in a publication series by Schiffer Publishing called: Artistry in Fiber, Vol.1 Wall Art and Artistry in Fiber, Vol.2. Sculpture. This past year 2022, I was commissioned to create a 6 foot by 4 foot by 3 inch Kimono combining Japanese Culture with the Kimono and Patterning inspired by Tapas cloths from Pacific Islanders for an upscale hotel in Hawaii.
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