Michael Sampson Biography

Emerging American artist Michael Sampson creates abstract paintings with representational elements. He has developed a unique method of shadow portraiture, a technique which dates back to the 18th century.

His version of the silhouette is near to life size portraits. Using natural light or sometimes a spotlight to project the figure onto the surface, he works the composition so that the image emerges. At times the image is almost unrecognizable-abstract, and other times it is completely objective. The surface is built up over a long period, as he edits color and texture to get to the subject without being illustrative.

Sampson studied at the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2005
CSMA, Two Person Exhibit, Ithaca, NY
Contemporary Trends, Ithaca, NY

2004
Everson Museum of Art, Juried Biennial,Syracuse, NY

2003
State of the Art Gallery, Juried Group Exhibit, Ithaca, NY
Atrium Gallery, Two Person Exhibit, Corning, NY

2002
Habitat for Humanity, Auction, Corning, NY

2001
Merrill Lynch, Two Person Exhibit, Elmira, NY

2000
Montserrat College of Art, Juried 30th Anniversary Exhibit, Beverly, MA

1998
Clinton House Gallery, One Person Exhibit, Ithaca, NY

1997-1998
Small Works Open Studio Exhibit, Salem, MA

1995
Kroma Gallery, Group Exhibit, Salem, MA