Gwen Samuels
Gwen Samuels is a contemporary sculptor who exhibits throughout California. Recent exhibitions include participation at establishments such as the Torrance Art Museum, Pasadena Showcase House, Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, Oceanside Museum of Art, and Palos Verdes Art Center. She has participated at The Other Art Fair twice and has been published by Artweek and ShoutOut LA.
The sculptures (or installation objects) could be mistaken for holistically being fiber pieces or glass at first inspection but are in fact pieces of photography printed on transparent paper and placed on metal wiring or stitched together with thread. The subjects range from abstract designs, to dresses and animal heads, and including representations of nature. With a varied approach the commonality could be identified in the presence of the material resembling luminous objects such as mylar or glass rather than pieces of photography.
Conceptually, these works represent the essence of deconstruction and reconstruction of imagery to metamorphosize into more complex entities. At first, the material is whole, as in complete photographs, until dissected and reorganized onto the three-dimensional surface to create a new meaning. The subject of the photography becomes a means just for the purposes of color and shade, as individually they become ornamental pieces to construct a new surface. Gwen’s most fascinating works tend to be her depiction of dresses. These particular pieces come off as figurative and contain elements of fusing fashion and fine art with unfamiliar material as wearable attire.
Transitioning (pictured above) shows the depiction of a young woman’s dress flowing with threads and containing holes as if she portrays missing pieces of herself. The piece could remind one of the 90’s grunge song Runaway by Soul Asylum. With lyrics steeped into personal identity and a sense of losing one’s placement in society, Transitioning delves deep into the process of a girl coming of age and becoming a woman. Growing up can be tough and the piece exemplifies the purpose of personal growth.
Gwen Samuels embarks on works with deep intellectual purpose towards deconstruction, reconstruction, and evolving her materials into their own sense of personalized form, steeped in identity which interprets surroundings. These modestly-sized sculptures project beyond their physical capacity to convey a sense of grandiosity towards reimagining topics such as fashion and womanhood. With a vibrant portfolio and a knack for intricacy, Gwen Samuels creates art which delves into personalized standards in process and interpretations.
