Sam Wills
(b. Sutton, 1997)
Artist Statment
Sam's work explores the critical potential of the unannounced encounter within the everyday. Interested in exploring alternative models of distribution, display and participation; the work often consists of setting up the conditions for an encounter to take place in an uncertain future. Thematically the work explores and questions ideas surrounding national narratives, collusions between culture and power and the management of public space. Sam's work often employs a vernacular language as its primary medium, ranging from birdboxes to beer bottles to Lime Bikes, these objects become vehicles of exchange, intervention and direct action.
Education
Goldsmiths, University of London (Art and Politics MA, 2023- 2025)
Chelsea College Of Art (BA Fine Art, First Class Honours, 2016-2019)
Camberwell College Of Art (Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, 2015-2016)
Selected Exhibitions
2023
Desire Paths, Turf Projects, Croydon
Allodium, 28 Devonshire Road, London
A Place Bears The Name, Tension Fine Art, London
2022
Annual Open Exhibition 2022, Southwark Park Gallery, London
Page Masters Zine Fair, South London Gallery, London
Multiplied, GALLERY GALLERY, Antwerp, Belgium
Cave Summer Exhibition, Cave Gallery, London
2021
Stuck in a timeloop, CheriHarari, Online
Auntie-Freeze 2021, Cave Gallery, London
2020
30works30days, 12ø, Online Exhibition
2019
Chelsea College of Art Degree Show 2019, Chelsea College of Art, London
Interim Show, Chelsea College of Art, London
2018
Translations, Chelsea College of Art, London
Auntie-Freeze 2018, Cave Gallery, London
Bjork Baby, Chelsea College of Art, London
Common Ground, Kennington Park, London
2017
Which way? That Way, (Collective), Chelsea Cookhouse Gallery, London
Milk it, Marylebone, London
Love & Rage, Chelsea Cookhouse Gallery, Chelsea College Of Art, London
2016
Chelsea year one, Unit One Show, Chelsea Cookhouse Gallery, London
CCW Foundation Show, Wilson Road, London
Writing / Published In:
2022
MNAN Zine, Metal Institute, UK, here
TIM Magazine #3, TIM Magazine, Antwerp
THE PAPER, Good Press, Glasgow