SAM GOWING
Artist | Sculptor
PAPER SCULPTOR + CREATIVE
Artist Bio
Over three decades, Sam Gowing has turned her creative talents to diverse and eclectic projects in Melbourne, Sydney and now in the Gold Coast. After graduating in art in Sydney circa 1990 she participated in various group shows, exhibiting painting and sculptural works, and art installations exploring the fragility of self. Her keen interest in the environment and love of the ocean has recently turned this focus outwards to the susceptibility of fellow creatures on this planet. She is an avid whale watcher and, from her hometown of Burleigh Heads, volunteers during the humpback whale migration period to survey and collect information about current numbers and whale behaviours.
Sam combines cane, paper, canvas and cloth with natural glues and resin to create free-flowing ethereal sculptures. Rather than trying to convey the colour, weight and bulk of sea creatures, she invites the light, and the viewer, to enter the hollow bodies of the creatures, and to view the tense fragile structures that hold them together. In presenting us with moments frozen in time, instants of joyful weightlessness, Sam is interested how we can view the whales anew, and develop empathy, and be part of their world.
Sam also teaches art to kids at the Gold Coast Art School and revels in the talents of her students. She also owns a business (ToucanDoo) where she puts kids' art onto keepsake plates. And if that doesn't fill her time enough : ) she also is a gym coach, as she is a firm believer in healthy body, healthy mind.
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Contact me if you would like more information on hiring me for an event or a workshop.
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Designer Bio
In recent years Sam has worked extensively in product development, and as a freelance graphic designer, guiding brands and products (e.g. giftware, home-wares, giftware, jewellery, apparel and toys) from conception to production, while managing their social media content and direct digital marketing. She is the lynchpin for many events in the arts and business world, overseeing product launches, trade fairs (local, interstate and overseas), board presentations, exhibition stand designs, props, set up, logistics and operations. Sam continues to teach art and run drawing, sculpture, painting, printing and digital design workshops for children and adults .
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I'm a graphic designer and product developer driving projects from conception through to production. I have over 20 + years working in the giftware, homewares, fashion accessories and toy industries, both as an employee and in a freelance (samism369) capacity, undertaking tasks designing product, packaging, events, branding, brochures, logos + infographics, books, social media content and websites (using templates). I also conduct work for Community and Social Justice organisations - mostly print-based material such as flyers, booklets and invites.
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