Sam Kirk

Samantha "Sam" Kirk (born in 1981 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American artist. She formerly worked in the advertising industry for ten years before pursuing an art career.

Samantha Kirk was born in Chicago in 1981. In Kirk's sophomore year of high school, she discovered art was an outlet for her to communicate her queer identity which she later integrated into her artwork. Later in life, Kirk worked in the advertising industry as an integrated marketing specialist for 10 years, eventually leaving the industry. Kirk felt the advertising industry no longer challenged her and was not paying enough. In 2010, the opportunity to pursue an art career presented itself when she was offered 2 huge art commissions.

Collaborative Murals

Weaving Cultures (2016)

Kirk collaborated with Sandra Antongiorgi to create the Weaving Cultures mural. This brought awareness to the Chicago community about women growing up racially mixed and queer. The mural includes 5 women of different racial ethnicities and ages, including one transgender woman all on a teal abstract background. All women displaying a stoic expression. The mural can be found on 16th and Blue Island in Chicago, Illiones.

Logan Square Mural (2017)

Kirk and Antongiorgi collaborated once again to create Logan Square Mural. This mural highlights the culture that once thrived at Logan Square before being gentrified. Kirk & Antongiorgi wanted people to take a step back to understand the mural and attempt to understand each other's differences.The mural displays 3 oversized individuals (1 male and 2 females) surrounded by gray and brick red buildings and yellow metro tracks above. Below the 3 individuals, there are small people playing with a fire hydrant, selling ice cream, protesting, and driving a car. Around all of them are palm trees and city signs that read "Wilsure Hotel" & "Furniture".This mural was funded by Ramirez-Rosa by $20,000 in city money to celebrate “the diversity and history of Logan Square"

The Love I Vibrate (2018)

Kirk collaborated with Andy Bellomo and Sandra Antongiorgi to create The Love I Vibrate. The purpose of the mural is to honor non-binary community members and Chicago's LGBTQ community.The Love I Vibrate is on the side of the Howard Brown Health Clinic in Chicago. The mural displays swirls of pink, blue, purple, and gold with a non-binary individual in the center with a shaved head and lips painted gold and eyes hot pink.This mural was funded by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Group Exhibition

ICONIC Black Panther

• Dates: November 2, 2018 – January 6, 2019
• Objective: Recognition of the past century influential political movements.
  

Peeling off the Grey

• Dates: May 11, 2018 - February 3, 2019
• Objective: Breaking down the layers of gentrification in Pilsen. Artwork is meant to represent the heartache & turmoil felt by the community of Pilsen.
  

Solo Exhibitions

Doube Dutch:An Exhibition by Sam Kirk

• Dates: July 21, 2016 - August 30, 2016 (free to the public)
• Objective: Displayed through illustrations, paintings, and interactive artworks, Kirk shows her appreciation for Chicago & New York. Also shows how Kirk jumped between both cities as she discovered her identity, identity, and love.

Sam Kirk has a permanent collection at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

• 2017: 3Arts, Make a Wake Awardee
• 2014: Curators Choice Award
  

• Official website