joel Sampson - Artists Statement

My art, like my life, has taken many twists and turns. I got started in photography by developing Kodak Brownie 127 film in my parent's basement and making contact prints. About that time I also got a ham radio license. And I have played music professional since 7th grade. I have worked professionally in all three areas, photography, technology and music. And have advanced degrees in art and technology.

My art emphasis is now new media which combines three areas - visual art, technology and music & sound. It's contemporary and unique. The response has been very positive.

Kinetic Percussion - is a new media series that uses a micro controller to fire solenoids that play rhythm patterns on found and made objects. I design, make and program the computer, electronics, mechanics and the overall design. They are fairly complex. They also flash LED's and other lights in rhythm. The Kinetic Percussion is fun and loud.

Blinkies - is a visual series that includes electronically controlled lights. It often combines collage, painting and photography in combination with the hand-made electronics. They do not have sound.

Photography Series - I always carry a camera with me and continue to do photography. I image in-studio with an Epson 9880 printer, which uses archival pigment ink. I can print 44" wide on paper or canvas. Current photo series include:

Loo Series - These images are self portraits shot in public restrooms that are elegant, funky, or in art museums.

Route 66 in Texas - I drove every mile of old Rt. 66 within Texas. It was 180 miles and I documented the trip.

Paris (Texas) - This series was started just because of the name of the city.

Influences - I have a background in art history and look at a lot of art. I have been influenced by Walker Evans photography, Stuart Davis painting and almost anything by Robert Rauschenberg and Ed Ruscha. Also precisionists Charles Demuth, Charles Sheeler, Ralston Crawford, and Gerald Murphy, plus Marcel Duchamp and others in the Dada movement.