The Venue Report Site

 

Samoa… Remember that name.   While viewing his art work samples on social media, we all knew that it was just a matter of time before we received invites to his first art happening, Samoa: Candied Coated Evil.   The venue took place at The Howl Happening on 6 East 1st street in the Houston Street area from 6pm – 9pm on January 10, 2018. The line at the entrance spilled out onto several blocks as guests happily socialized.   Contagious excitement filled our hearts while anxiously waiting to get in!

It was truly worth the wait!   Samoa has an uncanny ability to portray his subjects as if he captured their soul essence which brings an incredible depth to his art.  The protagonists are portrayed alongside a powerful message revealing a significant reality that is often hidden in plain sight.   The visual presentation effectively illustrates that meaning which is communicated graphically.   Upon contemplation, I realized just how limiting words are and that the ancients were on to something when they used heiroglyphs.

Rather than taking my word for it, see for yourself and enjoy!

.

‘Nina Simone, 2016’  Oil on canvas / 30 x 24 x 1 1/2 inches

.

‘James Baldwin, 2017’ – Oil on canvas / 60 x 48 x 1 1/2 inches

.

‘You people are human waste. Let me send you to your death, 2015’ – Oil & acrylic on canvas/ 30 x 24 x 1 1/2 inches

.

‘Untitled, 2017‘  – Oil on canvas / 72 x 120 x 1 1/2 inches

.

‘Ken Takakura, 2017’ – Oil on canvas / 102 x 51 x 1 1/2 inches

.

‘Cuban Revolutionary, 2017’ – Oil on canvas / 36 x 36 x 1 1/2 inches

.

‘John and Yoko, 2011’ – Acrylic on canvas / 40 x 30 x 1 1/2

.

.

‘Citizen Four (Edward Snowden), 2015’  – Oil & acrylic on canvas 30 x 24 x 1 1/2 inches  (above)

‘Vic Morrow as Sgt. “Chip” Saunders, 2014’ – Oil on canvas / 20 x 16 x 1 1/2 inches (below)

.

‘Princess Diana, 2014’ – Oil and acrylic on canvas / 24 x 18 x 1 1/2 inches (above)

‘Michael Jackson, 2015’ – Oil on canvas / 30 x 24 x 1 1/2 inches (below)

.

‘Nina Simone, 2016’ – Oil on canvas  30 x 24 x 1 1/2 inches (above)

‘Andy Warhol, 2014’ – Oil on canvas / 24 x 18 x  1 1/2 inches (below)

.

Some scenes from the event!

.

.

That’s Samoa signing his book, ‘Samoa Candy Coated Evil’  

He is a multitalented artist/musician who also plays in two bands, The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black and The Lonely Samoans.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Yup, that’s me with Samoa standing in front of one of his artworks, Chief Wolf Robe, 2017

.

.