SAMANTHA S. HINES
ARTIST - DESIGNER - MAKER OF THINGS
The menagerie
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work examines the personal menagerie—the collection of animal totems that shape our symbolic language and inform our experience.
Animals, from the lucky figures of the Chinese Zodiac to the Spirit Animals of Indigenous cultures, possess an instinctual power and physical presence that creates a unique language. We interpret this language through an individual lens, assigning meaning to these symbols as they appear in our daily lives.
This series is an exploration of my personal totems presented in dual forms: as a two-dimensional image and as a life-size artifact. This dual presentation serves a critical purpose: it brings the animals into the world not as passive imagery, but as tangible objects that confront and hold space with the viewer. The work is meant to be actively experienced, moving beyond simple visual consumption.
This project contributes to my ongoing exploration of folklore—specifically, how we interpret ancient symbols in the modern world and how these personal interpretations ultimately form our own cultural and individual narratives.
PAINTINGS
Much of my work pulls on the natural world, unveiling the magic that I see in it. I look for the soul of my subjects and do my best to express what I see there. I paint in watercolor, acrylics and pastel. My subjects range from the realms of nature and fantasy, to the simplicity of everyday life.
MULTI-MEDIA SCULPTUre
I have been exploring sculpture in multiple mediums. You will see a few ceramic pieces, clay and cardboard. I have also been experimenting with textiles and leather.
