Death and Daisies.
In another life, I was an archeologist. I almost signed up for a dig once, and life had other plans. That curiosity never left, it just turned inwards. I read mythology, poetry and folktales, and have a fascination with burials and grief rituals from around the world. I travel to cemeteries, graves and monuments, and I dream of doing so internationally. I write poetry, short story, essay and prose; and I study philosophy, religion and art history in my spare time. I love to cook, really I love to feed people, and very often do. I like to find myself in nature, painting, pondering and piddling amidst the trees. I look inward, a lot. All together this fuels the fire of my creative practice.
I am a nomadic oil painter. I live and work in a converted shuttle bus, named Ms. Turtle, based in Charlotte, NC. My son lives there too. We travel, camp, visit with friends, and I pet sit around town during school semesters. My traveling studio practice includes painting en plein air, printmaking and mixed-media drawing. This feeds my large-scale oil paintings and installation. Currently, I am working on a collection exploring the intersection of death positivity and emotional health. I engage themes of transformation, applied end-of-life processing and hunger, through imaginative landscape and personal mythology.
I keep an active blog here about my life and painting practice.
Sam Guzzie is a multi-media painter, poet and installation artist shaping a continuing dialogue for personal growth and interpersonal connection. Through story-driven visual symbolism, Guzzie’s work serves as a catalyst for critical conversation, meant to reduce shame and stigma surrounding challenging, or even taboo subjects. Recent exhibitions include; ‘Supernatural,’ Crane Seven, Charlotte, NC; ‘Protest,’ Union Hall Arts, Atlantic City, NJ; ‘Fantastical Resistance,’ The Arts Factory, Charlotte, NC; ‘Safe Space,’ OBRA Gallery, Charlotte, NC; ‘It Takes A Village, Labyrinth’ Mint Museum
A recipient of numerous project grants and awards, Guzzie founded the non-profit Brand the Moth (2017-2023) as a vehicle for cross-community dialogue, experimental installation, and public art programing. Serving as Program Director, Sam lead acclaimed activations including: The META Mural Residency, Charlotte’s Black Lives Matter mural and The UNTITLED Street Residency. Additionally, serving as Chairman of the Board and Founding Festival Coordinator for Talking Walls Mural Festival.
Following the 2021 group exhibition ‘It Takes A Village’ at The Mint Museum Randolph, Guzzie co-directed an experimental group installation with creative partner Hannah Fairweather, titled ‘Labyrinth,’ taking over the 5th floor gallery at The Mint Museum Uptown. Collaborating with over 50 local artists, Labyrinth was an interactive installation navigating viewers through the process of grief integration. During this time, Guzzie received a scholarship to study with the International End-of-Life Doula Association, completing 33 training hours.
In 2023, Sam had the bespoke opportunity as Resident Artist for Biblio; an experimental tasting room by Chef Sam Hart, as part of their high-concept, Michelin starred restaurant, Counter. The residency served as a launching point for Guzzie’s latest works in progress, exploring the intersection of death positivity and emotional processing.
Inquiries samguzzie@gmail.com
