Kevin Blythe Sampson is an African-American artist and retired police officer living in Newark, New Jersey. Sampson makes sculptures from discarded found objects that act as memorials for various people who have died. Sampson still has a studio based out of Newark.
Early life and education
Sampson was born in 1954 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Following high school and a few years of college, Sampson became a police officer and then a Detective with the Scotch Plains Police Department NJ. During his career as a Police Officer, Sampson worked as a composite sketch artist for the Scotch Plains Police Department. Sampson is the first African American Uniformed Police Composite sketch artist in the country. Sampson considers himself to be a civil rights Baby. His Father Stephen Sampson was a civil rights leader for over 50 years in and around New Jersey. Sampson grew up in a household where many of New jersey Civil rights and civil unrest marches were planned. His household was always a focal point for meetings, many civil rights leaders came to Sampson's House, including, Dick Gregory,Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Robert Ferris Thompson and William Kunsler. Congress Woman Shirley Chisholm, was one of Sampson's fathers Mentors, she was a frequent Dinner Guest at his house, growing up. Sampson moved to Newark in 1993. He attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts. Sampson is an artist, who focused on his artistic practice full-time following the deaths of close family members and his retirement from the Scotch Plains Police Department.
Career
Sampson has been a gallery Artist with Cavin-Morris Gallery NY,NY since 1992 Sampson makes sculptures from found objects that act as altars, memorials, and spiritual objects. Sampson began making art as a means to heal after the death of several family members and a new way to provide a service for the community. In the early 1990s, Sampson's wife, Pamela, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and their son, Kyle, was born prematurely and died. Sampson's work has been influenced by other New York artists who honor the dead through vernacular memorials. His work differs from these artists since most create murals in Latin American neighborhoods, street-side, altar-like assemblages of objects meant to last through only a brief public-display period of remembrance and grief. Sampson's work references and incorporates African spiritual traditions, including Yoruba, and follow the traditions of the Griot or storyteller. Much of Sampson's work offers commentary on issues of race, racism, and various forms of systemic injustice in the United States. Alongside other Newark-based artists, Sampson has spoken out against the recent, ongoing gentrification taking place in Newark, NJ. Sampson has completed a number of residencies all over the country. Including The Marie Walsh Sharp Space program, NY.NY. A teaching Residency at the John Michael Kohler art Center, in Sheboygan Wisconsin. The Joan Mitchell Centers Residency in New Orleans. The Art and Industry Residency at the Kohler, Kohler Wisconsin and most recently, the Inaugural Residency at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Conn. Sampson was selected to appear on the long running PBS Cartoon, Arthur, he was turned into a cartoon, did the voice over, and will appear as his self, an artist and teacher in a segment which will be released some time in the beginning of 2020. Sampson along with Newark Photographer Cesar Melgar has been invited to exhibit and teach at this years 2019 International Society of Biourbanism Design Summer School. Which will take place in Artena, Italy which is province of Rome, he has been selected along with Thinkers, designers, writers, entrepreneurs, politicians, economists, citizens, activists, and artists, from all around the world.
