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 earned advanced degrees in both art and technology. I create art in a variety of media, including acrylic painting, collage and photography.

My art emphasis is now 3-D new media which combines technology with fine art. I modified the STEM acronym to STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Music. The response to the new work has been very positive.

Sound Art

Kinetic Percussion - My Kinetic Percussion series uses a custom printed circuit board with a micro controller to trigger solenoids. The solenoids move and play rhythm patterns on found and made objects. They flash LED's in rhythm, are fun and loud and fairly complex.

Electronic Sound - Uses electronics to generate sound, not electro-mechanical solenoids. This give me better control over the volume level. My first such work, Listen to the Rhythm, has roofing shingles, PVC down spouts, gutter and blue LEDs 'shooting' out the end. It plays the sound of rain and a storm.

Walk This Way, a work in progress is an interactive floor piece with 16 grids that plays piano notes based on a harmonic minor scale. It's about 8 x 10 feet.

Video and Light Art

The gallery gets a little busy if everything makes a sound! I have a series of silent videos, some computer generated in real time. Plus 3-D objects and Geometric paintings with LED lights and motion.

Influences