Piece description from the artist
Restoring the Ickes is about the Ickes Projects in Chicago, which along with many low income housing in Chicago was wiped away quickly to bring new development and rid crime in the area. My question is how are the children of these communities affected? Growing up in a world that is filled with struggle and displaced to the suburbs or able to remain thanks to section 8 in a new surrounding that is a world they know nothing about. Beautiful grass, new walls, clean surroundings.
Sam Kirk, a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Chicago and Brooklyn, explores culture, identity and urban politics through her art. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, in a mixed race family, she has always been fascinated with community and culture. Taking experiences from her own upbringing and merging them with insights obtained during travel, her work is known for its vibrant color palette, whimsical characters and, profound stories laced with optimism.
Fascinated with people, their culture and how they express their identity, Sam is provoked to share stories in her work about the individuals she meets and the communities they are part of. Her creative process involves frequent voyages so she may engage with a variety of people in different cities.
Recognized for her public art and solo shows in Chicago, Sam Kirk has exhibited in New York, Miami, Washington DC, and Minneapolis. She is currently the official Chicago Made SXSW 2015 Artist, recently won the Curator’s Choice award at the Redbull Curates Chicago contest and, exhibited at Scope art fair in December 2014. She has been commissioned by Guinness, Smirnoff, Ciroc, Rolling Stone Magazine and Proctor & Gamble.
Sam earned a B.F.A. in Interior Design and a B.A. in Marketing from Columbia College in Chicago.
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