Curatorial Statement
Samuel Schwindt is a prolific researcher and a dedicated artist specializing in leather. His artistic evolution embodies an adventurous spirit, constantly exploring innovative techniques to shape his medium. His sculptures and site-specific installations result in the creation of unexpected, ephemeral pieces. The works presented in this exhibition have been carefully selected and curated from a perspective rooted in the flux of the LGBTQ community and its history with leather as a point of departure.
Homomasculinity and eroticism have long served as foundational elements in the practices of many artists, spanning various disciplines from music to visual arts. Figures such as Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, and Camille O’Grady in the punk music scene, as well as photographers Catherine Opie and Robert Mapplethorpe, alongside filmmakers Paul Chan and Luther Price, have all contributed significantly to this discourse, particularly during the latter half of the 20th century. For these artists, the influence of leather culture and its implicated BDSM is prevalent and a palpable intimate portrayal. Within Sam’s work, these elements are subliminal and subtly interwoven, imbued with a distinct sensuality and sensitivity rooted in the assemblages of Nancy Grossman whose works, like Sam’s, express a celebration of gender ambiguity.
Playful forms and intersecting materials transport the viewer into an immersive setting reminiscent of vibrant nightlife and throbbing lights. Abstract interpretations of corporal proximity and indiscreet encounters reveal a deeper reflection on the complexities of sexuality. Sam’s gestures reflect a profound sense of human connection and vulnerability, shaped by lived experiences as a young gay man in the 21st century. Through his works, the artist challenges conventional norms and interpretations.
‘REVEALED ARMOR: LEATHER AND LIGHT’ by Samuel Schwindt serves as a platform to delve into contemporary dialogues surrounding primal aspects of human nature and identity. Sam reclaims leather—a material often laden with social connotations—and ‘brings out of the closet’ a dialogue inviting viewers to engage in a candid conversation on expression, on the naturality of sex and other contemporary human experiences. In essence, this exhibition offers a fresh perspective on a timeless theme on a subject that is often misrepresented, mal-informed, or misunderstood. Samuel Schwindt invites us to explore the intricacies of human connection and vulnerability.
Pia Cruzalegui, Curator
May 2024
