Phil Samson

Hometown: Shady Shores, Texas
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My practice is focused on visually stimulating scientific minds with partially abstracted biological shapes. I interacted with UNT‘s genetic engineering scientists as they sought to make plants more resilient, useful and bountiful. Using their research, processes, and results to influence my sculptures' design, I manipulate, massage, and mix contemporary mediums, e.g., acrylic plastic, resin, with traditional sculpture, fiber and painting mediums. My sculptures often have translucent elements that interact vividly with visible and UV light spectrums. Undulation and emergence figure prominently in my artwork as a metaphor for the active living organism coming forth from the genetically altered primordial soup.

"MTP No. 515," 2022
Poplar, acrylic plastic, aluminum rivets
69 x 30 x 30 in.

"CFM 142.24," 2022
Plywood, metal rods
56 x 19 x 29 in.

"Lysis 1 and 2," 2021
Acrylic plastic, plywood, aluminum rivets
65 x 31 x 7 in.

"Miracle Grow," 2020
Acrylic Plastic, Metal Rack, LED UV Lights, Plastic Trays, Plant Containers
72 x 48 x 18 in.

"Helicase," 2021
Acrylic plastic, wood, acrylic paint, metal zipper slide
34 x 11.5 x 9 in.