Artist Statement
February 2007

Kinetic Sculpture is how I explore the relationship between art, science and technology. My sculptures are not usually static works but have movement and suggest function. As early as I can remember I have been making sculpture of some sort or another, sculpting not from a 'blank canvas' but from a vast selection of objects originally created for other functions - from broken toys and scrounged material when I was young to the old machinery, technology and discarded metal that I now use in my work.

I transmute, reanimate and sometimes anthropomorphize, using objects designed or once used for a particular purpose and now no longer wanted - except for their value as 'scrap'. I choose not to add to the ever-increasing amount of new technology, challenging the observer to reconsider the economic value and function of an object.

Although now a Sydney resident, I still work from a solar powered studio on a small farm in central Victoria where I grew up. Having limited power, I tend to favour nuts and bolts over welding - as welding requires starting a generator. When the sun goes down I can't use any machinery and know I have limited light to work under, so my day is planned around the sun.

Sam Deal

 

            
1978

            
Born  in Vaughn Springs, Victoria


EDUCATION
 

            
2007

            
Castlemaine High School
Latrobe University, Bachelor of Applied Chemistry
RMIT University, Bachelor of Applied Physics


SOLO SHOWS
 

            
2007

            
Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney


GROUP SHOWS
 

            
1996
1998
2001
2002
2003
2005
2006
.
2007

            
Chris Browning Gallery, Castlemaine
Chris Browning Gallery, Castlemaine
Tonks Sculpture Prize
Buda Historic Homestead, Castlemaine
Tonks Sculpture Prize - Encouragement Award
Tonks Sculpture Prize - 1st, 2nd, 3rd Prizes
Sculpture 18, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Four, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Sculpture 19, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney


 

            
Sam was born in 1978 and grew up
            near Vaughn Springs, a small town in central Victoria. He was
            raised on a 60 acre farm in a remote valley surrounded by National
            Park forests and without any electricity or town water.

            
Sam was fascinated by machinery,
            mechanics and movement from a very early age. Both his grandfathers
            were mechanically minded and used to build him contraptions and
            toys. Sam has inherited many of their tools and machines and
            now uses them to build his own sculptures.

            
When Sam was 14 he rigged up a small
            solar system for his bedroom providing him with light, music
            and power for his electronic contraptions while his parents were
            still using gas lighting. The lack of easily available electricity
            inspired him to take an apprenticeship in the renewable energy
            industry designing and building remote area power supplies.

            
This lead to several years at various
            universities studying electronics, chemistry, physics and engineering.
            It was during this time when he became inspired to create sculptures
            using some of the principles, materials and skills he was discovering
            through his studies.

            
Sam has worked in a number of areas
            such as - private research assistant looking into disease diagnosis
            including cancer detection using hair analysis, Chinese pulse
            diagnosis and research into a personal blood analyser; research
            & development for an electrical engineering company; building
            props and set design for films & TV.