Artist Statement and CV

Statement:

Sam Skrimpz is a trans masc artist from south Louisiana, now based in Richmond, Virginia. Through evocative murals and paintings, he explores gender identity and the realms of the mystical. Skrimpz's work is deliberate and loud; through saturated colors and concise symbols, he crafts dynamic scenes and conjures narratives playful in both concept and interpretation. Birds are a frequent subject of the artist – sometimes a subtle background, or an explicit main character – and birds often depict the journey to freedom and personal liberation taken by gender nonconforming people. Skrimpz also uses his art practice to bridge connection with community by teaching workshops and classes, where he co-creates murals with students based on their identities and weaves a narrative on what the students choose to share about themselves. Overall, Sam Skrimpz's work is an amalgamation of personal tales, meditations, as well an invitation to come on a journey; a visual exploration of gender, nature, and a celebration of the multitudes we all contain.