TRIADA SAMARAS
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Educator Statement

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I am an interdisciplinary artist of Greek ancestry whose artwork investigates personal and global issues: identity, body, voice, house/home, geography and language. The enormous impact of the Greek genos on my ideological system, i.e. the combined influences of New Hellenism, Byzantinism, and the lively, independent spirit of Democracy are in my veins, and unmistakable in my art, often despite myself.  This is unmistakable in my art practice as I shift from one home to another, then back again. For me: Home is palpable.  Home is visceral.  Home is unforgettable.  Paradoxically, Home is neither here nor there for me because I am a strong-minded and independent American artist as well.

I say interdisciplinary because my art practice includes a wide variety of art media as well as situations in which I explore the complex meanings of the words House/Homein philosophical, geographical, political and pedagogical realms.  My artwork is often auto-biographical. Through familiar icons I explore my feelings, thoughts, memories, perceptions and experiences. But these icons are almost always metaphors. I have been influenced by many creatives including Mikis Theodorakis, Nikos Kazantzakis, Kavafy, El Greco, German Expressionists new and old, Neo-Expressionism, Byzantine Icons, Goya, Glenn Ligon, Sappho, Maya Angelou, Sylvia Plath,  Rick Benjamin, Gale P. Jackson, and numerous other feminist and activist artists.     

I believe being human is often traumatic. By this I mean shocking, startling, unpredictable and even devastating. I know for myself this has always been true. The immigration of my Greek ancestors to the United States with little or no money is one example.  Half of my Greek family left their homeland for the United States. The other half remained in Greece. The loss of family unity, bonds, traditions, culture, language with all its nuances, and ways of thinking, is difficult to put into words. This is an undeniable starting point for me as an artist.
Over time I have learned to use my familiar icons and metaphors to dare myself to encounter something new and unique to my life experience in this world. I aim as an artist to release inner emotional and psychological forces to a greater realm, one that is imaginary and mysterious and even more powerful.  And physical of course, as it is a work of art.

Through art I can make the invisible visible and I can actualize my experiences. anew and beyond.  But I am not interested in the re-creation of my human experience per se. Rather I wish to use this powerful emotional energy as a catalyst that drives my creative process forward in the direction of something new.  I aim as a creator to release inner emotional forces to a greater realm, one that is imaginary and mysterious and even more powerful.   
The final artwork is a push and pull between my lived human life and my experience as an artist with the materials and the reality of these materials as physical matters in actual space.  Thus, my artwork begins in a literal place in my mind but ends far away from that place. The final outcome is usually a surprise for myself and often for others as well. Often the new artwork is the home I have been searching for.  This home turns out to be a place in my inner psychological geography, not an actual physical place outside my body.
I am interested in the transformative nature of art: the ability artmaking has to transcend human experience and creatively shape it anew. For me the art studio is a place of magic where ‘what has been’ can become ‘what might have been’ or ‘what might still be’ or other possibilities.  Using artmaking I enjoy being catapulted beyond what I know and transformed.
It is my hope that upon encountering my work, the viewer will also be able to sense, feel, or perceive instinctually the transformative movement that is at the heart of my artwork. 

Triada Samaras 
November 2019

 

Educator Bio

For over 15 years Greek-American artist Triada Samaras has been exploring the themes of identity, house/home, voice, and geography in her artwork, often in art activist and socially engaged contexts in New York City and Athens, Greece that have won her international recognition.

Samaras is also a studio artist working in Brooklyn where she creates personal, emotional, intuitive and idiosyncratic interpretations of these themes in paintings, drawings and photographs. These works often feature her poems and writings.

Originally educated in Fine Art at Smith College, Northampton, and the Museum School of Fine Art in Boston, MA, Samaras has also completed graduate work in art, art education, and interdisciplinary art at Columbia University, New York, and Goddard College, Vermont.  She is currently an Adjunct Professor of Drawing and Fine Art at Kean University and at William Paterson University.

 

Educator CV

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EDUCATION

2012    Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interdisciplinary Art, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT           
           Thesis: At Home in Activist Art: Transgressing Political & Geographical Boundaries
2006   Master of Art in Art and Art Education, Teachers College/Columbia University, New York, NY;
            MA Thesis: Awesome Art as Adolescent Educator
1985     Fifth Year Certificate, Museum School of Fine Arts, Boston, MA              
            Medici Society Traveling Fellowship Award with Boston Museum of Fine Arts Exhibition
1984    Diploma in Studio Art, Museum School of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, Dana Pond Award in Painting
1980    Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Studio Art, Smith College, Northampton, MA


SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2019    Unbound: Paintings, Works on Paper, Sculpture, Paterson Museum, Paterson, NJ 
2015    The State of Greece 2012:  For Rent/For Sale, Nancy Dryfoos Gallery, Kean University, Union, NY
2009    Triada Samaras, Nancy Dryfoos Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS (full list available upon request)

2019    Ghost Towns, Or, the Memories that Haunt Us, Nancy Dryfoos Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ
2019    Kean University Art Faculty at LBIF, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts, Long Beach Island, NJ
2018    2018 FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social and Politically Engaged Art, Reece Museum, East Tennessee State University, TN  
2018    Genesis, Dab Art, Ventura, CA
2018    James Howe Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ
2018    Small Works Show, Atelier Rosal, NJ
2018    100 Works on Paper Benefit, Kentler International Drawing Space, Brooklyn, NY  
2018    Who am I? Who Are We?, Pro Arts Exhibition, Jersey City, NJ           
2017    Actipedia, The Center for Artistic Activism, New York, NY
2017    Athens International Arts Exhibition (dedicated to Nikos Kazantzakis 1883-1957), Meropion Philanthropic Foundation,   
           Acropolis/Athens, Greece, UNESCO of Piraeus $ Islands
2017    The Enduring Spirit, Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, NJ
2016    100 Works on Paper Benefit, Kentler International Drawing Gallery, Brooklyn, NY 
2014    Fall Salon, James Howe Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ
2014    Wish You Were Here13,  A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2014    100 Works on Paper Benefit, Kentler International Drawing Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2012    Nature and Humanity, Vital Space, Athens, Greece (traveling)
2012    100 Works on Paper Benefit, Kentler International Drawing Gallery, Brooklyn, NY 
2012    Park Space, Play Space, Brooklyn Utopias Exhibition, Old Stone House, Brooklyn, NY
2011     Summer Art Crawl, Goddard College,  Plainfield, VT 
2011     “Can You See Me?”, Kean University, Wayne, NJ
2011     Winter Art Crawl, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT
2010    Scarring Our Water, Governors Island Utopia, Governors Island, NY  
2010    Producing Exhibition, Macy Gallery, Columbia University, New York, NY 
2010    Studio Practices Exhibition, Macy Gallery, Columbia University, New York, NY, curator: Maurizio Pellegrin.
2010    GISCA/Global Initiative for Social Change Through the Arts: Gisca Palooza, Millbank Chapel, Columbia University,
            New York, NY 
2010    100 Works on Paper Benefit, Kentler International Drawing Space, Brooklyn, NY
2009    Producing Exhibition, Macy Gallery, Columbia University, New York, NY, curator: Maurizio Pellegrin
2009    Brooklyn Utopias?, Brooklyn Historical Society, Brooklyn, NY  
2009    Brooklyn Utopias?, Old Stone House, Brooklyn, New York  
2009    Adjunct Faculty Exhibition, James Howe Gallery,  Kean University, Union, NJ  
2009    100 Works on Paper Benefit, Kentler International Drawing Space, Brooklyn, NY
2006    Drawing Show, Macy Gallery, Teachers College/Columbia University, New York, NY, curator: Maurizio Pellegrin
2006    Poem for a Garbage Can (poetry and painting public art installation), Carroll Park, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY
2006    Adjunct Faculty Exhibition, James Howe Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ


SELECTED PUBLISHED POEMS AND ESSAYS

2008    Ode to a Developer (poem), Gowanus Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
2008    Carpe Diem (poem), Gowanus Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
2008    Howl/The Condo Building (poem), Gowanus Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
2008    Ode to the BSA/Board of Standards and… (poem), Gowanus Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
2008    Public Place.  The Intended Use is… (poem), Gowanus Lounge, Brooklyn, NY  
2007    The Professor in White (essay), The inter-view Bulletin, Columbia University, New York, NY
2007    Poem for the Sick and Suffering (poem), The inter-view Bulletin, Columbia University, New York, NY
2007    Poem for a Garbage Can (poem), The inter-view Bulletin, Columbia University, New York, NY
2006    Poem for a Garbage Can (poem), ERATO/The Park Slope Poetry Project, Brooklyn, NY
2006    America is Oil Addicted/Bad Mood (poem), ERATO/The Park Slope Poetry Project, Brooklyn, NY
2006    Dirtbike to God (poem), ERATO/The Park Slope Poetry Project. Brooklyn, NY
2006    Poem for a Garbage Can (poem), ERATO/The Park Slope Poetry Project, Brooklyn, NY
2005    It’s Hard to Write a… (poem), ERATO/The Park Slope Poetry Project, Brooklyn, NY
2005    Mom is Dancing Now (poem), ERATO/The Park Slope Poetry Project, Brooklyn, NY
2003    Journeys, IN-Step Issue #2 Art and Art Education Newsletter, Art and Art Education
            Department, Teachers College/Columbia University, New York, NY, editor:  Judith Burton
2002    YiaYia’s Pots (poem), Hellenic Voice, Vol. 2 #52, Boston, MA
2002    The Spectator (For the Victims of 9/11) (poem), Hellenic Voice, Vol. 2 #38, Boston, MA
2002    The Spectator (For the Victims of 9/11) (poem), The Haverhill Gazette, Haverhill, MA 
2002    Manic Depression,  April Poetisms, New York, NY


SELECTED INTERVIEWS

2007    Samaras & Shifreen (conversation between a poet and a painter: Triada Samaras and Frank Shifreen), The inter-view
             Bulletin, Teachers College/Columbia University, New York, NY
2007    “Inter-view” Bulletin: Teacher Writers for a Public Voice (TWPV),
              <http://www.subjectmatters.org/newsletter/vol02_issue_03_cstc_november_2007.pdf>
2006    Editor’s Discretion: Featuring Triada Samaras, Volume 1, Issue 2, The inter-view Bulletin, Columbia University, Teachers
             College/Columbia University, New York, NY


SELECTED COLLECTIONS 

Carroll Park, Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Historical Society, Brooklyn, New York
Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York
Columbia University, New York, NY
Private Collections in USA, Switzerland, and Greece


SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jonathan Goodman. Triada Samaras at the Paterson Museum. Tussle Magazine: 2019, <https://www.tusslemagazine.com/triada-samaras>
“Garden Club, Kean Faculty Join Creative Forces at LBIF.” The Sandpaper. 22 May 2019.
“Genesis.” Dab Art Quarterly Exhibition & Publication: Ventura, CA. January 1 - March 31, 2019 <https://www.dabart.me/genesis-press-release>
“From NY to NJ and Back” (6 images). City Gallery of City Limits, In-depth Reporting on New York City. 2017.
“Ten Year Anniversary of the Democracy Wall.” City Gallery of City Limits, In-depth Reporting on New York City. 2017.
“Artist of the Week.” City Gallery of City Limits, In-depth Reporting on New York City. 2017.
Nikos Katanzakis. "Thought Leadership Booklet" Ioannis Zaglaris (Editor) <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikos_Kazantzakis> “Unbound.” Apero Gallery Catalogue. Catalogue Curator:  E. E. Jacks. January 2018 <http://www.showapero.com/uploads/8/5/3/4/85349892/apÉro_catalogue_-_unbound_-_january_2018_web_single.pdf>.
“Reflection.” Apero Gallery Catalogue.  Catalogue Curator:  E. E. Jacks. November 2017 <http://www.showapero.com/uploads/8/5/3/4/85349892/2017-11_reflection_aperocatalogue_single_1.pdf>
“Actipedia: The Democracy Wall Ten Years Later.” The Center for Artistic Activism. New York, NY. <https://actipedia.org/project/democracy-wall-carroll-gardens-ten-year-anniversary-2007-2017>.
“The State of Greece:  Enoikiazetai-Poleitai/For Rent-For Sale.” Greek News. Independent Bi-Lingual Greek-American Weeklyn Newspaper. 6 April 2015. <http://www.greeknewsonline.com/the-state-of-greece-enoikiazetai-poleitai-for-rent-for-sale/>.
“Triada Samaras: The State of Greece.” Kean Magazine. Kean Galleries. (Spring 2015). 
Cardenas, Gilbert H. “Natural Art Like Andy Goldsworthy.”  (June 15, 2015) <https://gilberthcardenas.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/natural-art-like-andy-goldsworthy/>.
iefimerida. O οικονομικός αναλυτής της κρίσης Γιάννης Βαρουφάκης τώρα παρουσιάζει και έργα τέχνης/ The economist Yanis Varoufakis now presents artworks (10/27/2012) <http://www.iefimerida.gr/node/73947 # ixzz2zmEqZPNP>. Handler, S. 
“Triada Samaras: The State of Greece: FOR RENT – FOR SALE.” Vital Space: Nature & Humanity. (9/2012). <http://www.vitalspace.org>.
Mills, J. “In Gowanus Playgrounds Both Real and Imagined.” The L Magazine. (4/9/2012).  
Kelly, K. “Imagining an Ideal City: Brooklyn Utopias Show at the Old Stone House.” Pardon Me for Asking. (4/5/2012) <http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2012/04/imagining-ideal-city-brooklyn-utopias.html>.
Short, A. “Picture perfect: Artists explore 'Brooklyn Utopias' at Park Slope's Old Stone House.” Brooklyn Paper. (3/27/2012). <http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/13/24_brooklynutopias_2012_03_30_bk.html>
Meier, A. “Imagining Urban Art Utopias” HYPERALLRGIC (5/14/2012). <http://hyperallergic.com/51446/brooklyn-utopias/>. “Brooklyn Utopias:  Park Space/Play Space” Brooklynian. 2012. <http://hyperallergic.com/51446/brooklyn-utopias/>.
"New BHS Exhibit – Brooklyn Utopias?" Brooklyn Heights Blog. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/12674>.
"Triada Samaras, Image from 'Carroll Gardens Democracy Wall.' " Brooklyn Utopias. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://brooklynutopias.com/artwork/944531_Triada_Samaras_image_from_Carroll.html>.
"Imagining a Better Brooklyn." Gotham Gazette. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.gothamgazette.com/events/feature_archive.php?e=239>.
“Activists Use Blogs to Organize Anti-Developer Protest”. Crains New York Business. Web. 26 Nov 2011. <http://crainsnewyork.com/article/20080024/REG/149813739/1126.>
“Characters of Gowanus” Web 26 Nov 2011. <http://www.charactersofgowanus.com/?p=31McLaughlin, Mike, and Emilia Brock>. "Superfund Showdown on the Gowanus." The Brooklyn Paper: Brooklyn’s Real Newspaper. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.
Calder, Rich. "'Carroll' Crusade." New York Post. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/carroll_crusade_TZ6gF1mYG9AtAp3I2EMquL>.
“EPA Gowanus Canal Community Advising Group” Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/pdf/CAG_General_Mtg_07_26.pdf>.
“Locals: Gowanus Proposal Stinks” Crains New York Business. Web. 26 Nov 2011.2011 <http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20081012/SUB/310129952>.
"Group Says: No Carroll Without the Gardens." Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.com/2010/02/22/no-carroll-without-the-gardens/>.
“CBID Honors Gowanus Canal Activists At Anniversary Dinner." Pardon Me For Asking. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.<http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2010/04/cbid-honors-gowanus-canal-activists-at.html>.
"Neighborhood Groups Join Josh Skaller in Fight for a REAL Cleanup the Gowanus.” The Daily Gotham Grassroots News and Activism for New Yorkers. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.dailygotham.com/mole333/blog/neighborhoodgroupsjoinjoshskallerinfightforarealcleanupthegowanus>.
"Carroll Gardens Democracy Wall Part of Jersey Exhibit." Gowanus Lounge — Serving Brooklyn. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.bobguskind.com/2008/12/17/carroll-gardens-democracy-wall-part-of-jersey-exhibit/>.
“A Fond Farewell To Vince Favorito, Long Time Carroll Gardens Resident And Neighborhood Historian." Pardon Me For Asking. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2011/06/fond-farewell-to-vince-favorito-long.html>.
"Pollution." The Daily Gotham | Grassroots News and Activism for New Yorkers. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.dailygotham.com/categories_and_keywords/pollution>.
"Revised Carroll Gardens Zoning Still Leaves 360 Smith Issue in Doubt” Brooklyn Daily Eagle." Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.brooklyneagle.com/archive/category.php?category_id=17>.
"CORD Supports Superfund for Gowanus." Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.typepad.com/only_the_blog_knows_brook/2009/07/cord-supports-superfund-for-gowanus.html>.
"360 Smith Hearing Leads to More Hearings" Brownstoner: Brooklyn Real Estate and Renovation. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2008/09/360-smith-heari/>.
"CORD Supports Superfund for Gowanus." Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.com/2009/07/02/cord-supports-superfund-for-gowanus/>.
"Carroll Gardens #2: Smith Street Building Fallout Continues." Curbed NY : The New York City Neighborhoods and Real Estate Blog. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2007/06/26/carroll_gardens_2_smith_street_building_fallout_continues.php>.
Buiso, Gary. "Clarke Urged to Support Superfund.” Brooklyn Daily: Neighborhood News, Events, Restaurants & Classifieds. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2009/45/courier_frontpage_gowclarke.html>.
"Carroll Gardens Citizens Plan Get Ready for Aug. 19 Commission Hearing” Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.brooklyneagle.com/archive/category.php?category_id=5>.  
Jaszi, Sabrina. "Teens Make Their Gowanus Death Masks. ” Brooklyn Paper: Brooklyn’s Real Newspaper. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/44/32_44_sj_gowanus_masks.html>.
"Toxic Gowanus Canal: Local Teens Create ‘Airborne Contaminants’ Masks." Pardon Me For Asking. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2009/10/toxic- gowanus-canal-local-teens-create.html>.
“Brooklyn Utopias? Artists Consider Visions of an Ideal Brooklyn” Brooklyn Historical Society Press Release. Web. 26 Nov 2011. <http://brooklynhistory.org/resources/press/bhs_2009_aug_25.pdf>.
"Brooklyn Utopias? Workshops." Starting Artists, Inc. 2009. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.startingartists.org/2009/11/brooklyn-utopias-workshops/>.
Zimmer, Amy. “After Crane, Critics’ Ire Builds at Developers” MetroNY, 3/18/2009.
"Public Perspectives: Brooklyn…" Brooklyn Historical Society. Mutualart.com.” Web. 2009. Nov. 2011. <http://www.mutualart.com/Events/Exhibitions/Public-Perspectives--Brooklyn-Utopias-/DA3700C4EECC200F>.
"Brooklyn Utopias? Workshops." Starting Artists, Inc.Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.startingartists.org/2009/11/brooklyn-utopias-workshops/>.
"Death of a Blogger” News 12 Brooklyn Cable Television. 3/10/2009.
1/2008 Triada Samaras and Bob Guskind Featured on B-CAT (Brooklyn Independent Television). BCAT interviews Gowanus Lounge and CG CORD for “Interview” News Magazine Program.  
“80 to watch in ’08” The Brooklyn Papers, Brooklyn NY. 1/5/2008. (# 41:  Democracy Wall, Carroll Gardens: “Every couple of weeks a new mural and message pops up at the plaza on the corner of Second Place and Smith Street, and it’s a barometer for public sentiment on local news.”)  
“Triada Samaras and The Democracy Wall: Wall turns into protest of Carroll Gardens development.” News 12 Brooklyn Cable Television." 12/30/2007 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjFx-OlXT10> Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=205063>.
Hodek, M. “Editor’s Discretion/Featured Artist: Triada Samaras.” Inter-view Bulletin: Teacher Writers for a Public Voice (TWPV), Teachers College/Columbia University. 2006. Volume 1, Issue 2.
D’Addario, Darren, “Trash Talk” Time Out New York/Issue 546 March 16-22 2006
Laprel, S. “From Despair Comes Poem of Hope”.  The Haverhill Gazette, Haverhill, MA (2002, July 4-July 10).

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