Story Behind the Piece:
Sammy was the quiet one. Not silent, but the kind of quiet that made people lean in when he spoke. His connection to the land was palpable, as though the red sands and the endless horizon whispered secrets only he could hear. This piece reflects Sammy’s balance—half grounded in tradition, half navigating the ever-shifting modern world.
The black and white patterns tell the story of the desert at night, a canvas of stars mirrored in the quiet strength of a man who walked those sands. The earthy ochre side is the story of the day, the heat, and the fire—Sammy’s laughter echoing under the sun as he taught younger generations how to read the land like a living map. His face, painted here in dots and contrasts, reminds us that identity is never one thing; it’s a mosaic, a map of countless journeys.
In the desert, he’d always say, “You never just look ahead. You look down, to find water. You look up, to read the sky. You listen, even when it’s silent.” Sammy embodied the wisdom of Country, where every grain of sand carried a story, every shadow a lesson.
Availability for Sammy:
Sammy’s journey will be showcased at the Wentworth Gallery in Brisbane during my solo exhibition on April 19, 2025. Discover the balance of tradition and modernity he embodies. If his story inspires you, let’s create a piece that reflects your unique connection to culture or place. Get in touch to start your collaboration.
Hi Reece,
How much is Sammy stretched on frame lease?
Kind regards
Houkje