Sam Curtis

IKEA

Croydon, 2008

Harrods Fish Counter 2008

Harrods Food Hall, London, 2008

Centre for Innovative and Radical Fishmongery

Sluice Art Fair, London, 2013

Sam Curtis uses a variety of media to explore how our creativity and individual autonomy can flourish in strictly controlled environments. He often operates simultaneously as both an artist and an employee through jobs that do not pertain to any art related activity. Rather than starting with the context of an officially framed mode of artistic production, his stealth or undercover practice earns him alternative perspectives and experiences from the workplaces he chooses. Venturing out with new skills, ideas, relationships and experiences, he then develops works and projects for gallery settings, the public realm or to be re-inserted back within industry. Partly a conceptual strategy and partly an answer to the financial climate, he has been able to sustain his practice in this way.

Two of his films will be shown during Trade Show, Ikea and Harrods Fish Counter 2008, both giving a commentated insight into the everyday practices of these places and Sam’s interpretations and suggestions.
For January 2014 Sam is planning a residency and/or collaboration with a Birmingham based fishmongers, to continue his work on The Centre for Innovative and Radical Fishmongery , an ongoing project that looks into the logic and aesthetics of presenting fish to the public.

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www.scurtis.co.uk

About

Sam Curtis lives, works and practices in London. He graduated from Goldsmiths MFA programme in 2008 and has exhibited across the UK, Europe and the USA. His work is represented by Division of Labour. Recent exhibitions and projects include: Centre for Innovative and Radical Fishmongery, Sluice Art Fair, London, 2013; Moving Image Art Fair, New York, 2013; Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 2013; Intensive Care, Centre of Attention, London 2013; Format International Photography Festival, QUAD, Derby, 2013; Work Hard/Play Hard, BEURSSCHOUWBURG, Brussels, 2013.

Sam has initiated and nurtured Seymour Art Collective (2009–ongoing), a group of artists who are or have been homeless. He has facilitated and co-produced projects with the collective and numerous galleries and organisations.