Gullah Living: Painting the Stories
Abbreviated Artist Statement by Samantha CLAAR
WHY DO I CREATE ART?
“I want you to desire to know this culture we have so benefited from, celebrate that it still exists, and be a part of our responsibility to fully embrace their culture for the gift that it is.” ~ Samantha CLAAR
Creating beauty, adding joy, and sharing the Gullah-Geechee glimpses guide my art. These people, who join my nighttime roaming and inspire me, deserve celebration and understanding.
MY ARTIST STORY:
As the daughter of an artist, I began painting in my 40s, gifting my first piece, "Mother's Life in Color," to my 80s-year-old mother. Moving to Tybee Island in the 90s, I joined the art scene, opened a gallery, and painted fantastical cats. In 2008, compelled by dreams, I began painting the people who visited me, driven by the faith that I could be a conduit for their stories.
THEME AND WHY:
"Glimpses of Gullah" reflects my growth and expanded worldview. Education about the Gullah-Geechee became essential to authentically paint their stories. Beyond painting, I felt a duty to educate visitors about the people who worked here without remuneration, living with hope. The Gullah-Geechee are a distilled essence of Africa to America, challenging racist narratives.
MY ART FORM:
Choosing acrylics for speed and a wide color range, I moved away from canvas to natural materials like recycled fence boards and hurricane debris. "Waste Not Quilt" taught me the value of reusing materials, reflecting the Gullah-Geechee's resourcefulness.
INSPIRATION:
Books like "God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man" by Cornelia Walker Bailey and "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill shaped my understanding. The Gullah-Geechee's impact on Georgia and SC is profound, contributing to cities, foods, and knowledge. Discovering this, I hope you say, "Wow! I never realized just how much my life was impacted by the introduction of the Gullah-Geechee."
ME AND MY ART:
This unexpected journey feels like a blessing. I share a snippet of a bigger picture and advocate for knowledge inspiring change. Thank you for being a part of my present as I relate these glimpses of the past.