Female Voices in Art: Sasha Samuels, Artist
"Women have always been involved in the art world - we are finally being seen, respected, and celebrated as significant contributors!"
Sasha Samuels (b. 1962, New York, US) began her artistic career as a teen, creating hyper-realistic pencil drawings for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. She is a metal-arts graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. While attending its Rome-based European Honors Program, Samuels developed a life-long love of Italy – her Tuscan studio was for a time a 14th century Romanesque church. In 2023 Sasha visited Ukraine, to paint portraits of their injured defenders, gifting each soldier his portrait. In 2024, she proposed and co-curated an exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian trench art at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, NM. Sasha studied figurative painting with Venice Biennale exhibitor and Guggenheim Fellow Arvie Smith, as well as Florentine mosaic and cameo carving with Italian masters. She has garnered dozens of awards and enjoyed museum exhibitions in the US and Europe.
Could you tell us something about your role in the art world?
I view myself as a healer and activist through my art practice, especially through my war portraiture.
What did you enjoy about being a part of this project?
I loved working with Carla, and being honored as a woman impacting today's art world as both artist and museum curator.
Do you have a favourite artist?
I love Paula Rego, Marlene Dumas, Francesca Woodman, the Post-Impressionists, and the Italian Macchiaioli. Bronzino also has my heart.
What is your earliest memory involving art?
I recall learning color mixing and honing my fine motor skills using Play-Doh at about age four.
Do you have any special thoughts about the position of women in the art world?
Women have always been involved in the art world - we are finally being seen, respected, and celebrated as significant contributors!
What are you wearing, and is there a story behind it?
The kimono I'm wearing is from Carla's extensive collection. I love its bright colors.
What are you currently working on?
I'm working on a multi-figure oil painting celebrating what will be Ukraine's post-war Renaissance.
Could you mention a project, an institution that, or a person who has been important or inspiring for your career and why?
Visiting Ukraine in 2023 to paint soldiers recovering from their wounds was one of the most powerful experiences of my career and life as an artist. I was astonished that my work was broadcast all over Ukraine's national television; my biggest takeaway was to never underestimate the power of one's art to change the world.
