Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Haring.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I make quiet paintings in a noisy world. I come from a long line of artists and creative people, so this is deep in my blood. I earned my BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011 and my MFA from Northern Illinois University in 2014. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a supportive family and excellent mentors throughout my education. Marion Kryczka at SAIC and Frank Trankina at NIU in particular taught me how to see, for which I am forever grateful.
In 2010 I spent the summer studying at the International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture in Montecastello di Vibio in Italy. That was a transformative experience. (Is there any way painting in the Umbrian landscape could not be?) Seeing the vistas that Corot saw, experiencing the unique quality of that light, and of course standing in awe in front of the Giotto frescoes… well, that experience made me even more committed to perceptual painting.
From 2015-2016 I was one of the artists-in-residence at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, where I currently live and maintain a studio. For the past year my work has been represented by Gallery 19 in Chicago.
Please tell us about your art.
I am an observational painter – meaning, I paint what I see. I primarily work from life, and I am interested in the overlooked, the mundane, and the forgotten. I spend a lot of time staring at dust. Artist studio spaces – particularly shared spaces – are full of memory. Dust on a ledge, paint smears left behind in the basin of a sink, subtle hints of color beneath a whitewashed wall… these persistent traces are inscriptions. They are an index of the artist’s hand and a record of past events. They are markers and documents of time.
The residue on the walls and floor are a metaphor for the imprint we leave behind on each other and on the world. I’m fascinated by the duality of absence and presence, how something can be simultaneously there and yet not there. There are no figures in my current work, yet a human presence is palpable through the detritus left in these empty spaces. Emptiness is an illusion; even in silence there is a tremendous amount of noise. I hope these paintings serve as a reminder to pay attention, to slow down, and to appreciate these kinds of quiet moments.
My work is representational, even or perhaps especially when it appears to be abstract. I am committed to depicting the spaces and objects around me with both accuracy and poetry.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
That’s a complicated question. In some ways, I think it is easier to be an artist today. Social media has allowed us to connect with fellow makers all over the world, and more people have the potential to see our work than ever before. We haven’t been operating under any 20th century “-isms” for quite some time, which means there ought to be room enough in the artworld for everyone. Ironically, those are the same reasons why in some ways it is more challenging to be an artist today. Social media is isolating. It can be hard to find a community of like-minded people. Artists have to be resourceful and responsible for all aspects of their business, not just the act of creating in the studio.
In my experience, the most important thing for artists to thrive is a supportive community. The painters and artists I know are some of the kindest and most generous of spirit people I’ve ever met, and I am deeply grateful for their friendship. Having people to lean on makes the studio struggle all the more worthwhile.
Cities like Chicago already support artists in myriad ways. Exhibition opportunities, grants, and local community engagement are all tremendously helpful. It can be challenging to make a living as an artist; anything that makes it easier for artists to have more time in their studios is always appreciated.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My recent work is available through Gallery 19 (www.gallery19chicago.com/sam-haring.html). You can stop by the gallery at 4839 N. Damen, Tuesdays-Saturdays from 12-6. You can also get an inside look at my studio practice on Instagram: @samantha.haring.
Contact Info:
- Address: Gallery 19
4839 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL - Website: www.samharing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.haring/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samanthaharingart
Image Credit:
Samantha Haring
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