By
Samsung Newsroom
There are no clear answers when appreciating art. Each piece will evoke distinct emotions and elicit different reactions. However, context on the artist or artwork’s inspiration can heighten understanding — so people can admire art on a whole new level.
▲ Since 2021, Samsung Newsroom interviewed 35 artists and organizations that partnered with Samsung Art Store
Samsung’s art subscription service has brought once distant and inaccessible art into the comfort and intimacy of the home via the company’s lifestyle TV, The Frame. Samsung Art Store has been acclaimed for creating a new paradigm in art consumption by overcoming the physical constraints of traditional art exhibitions and transforming living spaces into galleries.
Subscribers have access to over 2,500 works of art presented in 4K resolution, ranging from photographs and illustrations to masterpieces from prestigious galleries and museums.
Beginning in 2021, Samsung Newsroom illuminated the stories behind these works of art through interviews with artists and representatives from partnering art organizations. This initiative aimed to enhance the art-viewing experience by conveying each artist’s methods and motivations. Samsung Newsroom revisited the past three years with Samsung Art Store, a digital curator enriching daily life with art.
35 Samsung Art Store Partners and 35 Distinct Perspectives
Samsung Newsroom interviewed a total of 35 Samsung Art Store artists. From the 2,500 pieces of art available, collections were created based on seasons or collaboration milestones. Artists and partnership representatives were then selected for interviews with these themed curations in mind.
The interviews offered Samsung Art Store subscribers a deeper understanding of the art by providing otherwise rarely accessible details about each artist’s life and values. Saya Woolfalk is one artist whose personal story shapes her creativity.
▲ (From left) Saya Woolfalk and “Sassafras” (2021)
Woolfalk utilizes various mediums including textiles and a combination of traditional print methods and digital print processes. In her interview, she discussed how her unique upbringing significantly shaped her creative world. Born and raised in New York, Woolfalk shared stories of spending summers with her maternal grandmother in Gifu, Japan. Some of her textile collages were inspired by these experiences.
▲ (From left) Serge Hamad and “Beach #4” (2011)
Serge Hamad, the most recent interviewee, is another artist whose upbringing is vividly reflected in his work. Inspired by the Mediterranean coast where he was born and raised, the “Relax” series marked his debut in fine art photography. In his interview, Hamad discussed how his multicultural North African and Western background influences his artistic vision.
▲ (From left) Natasha Durley and “As Mad as a March Hare” (2021)
The interviews have also introduced lesser-known artists. Natasha Durley creates vibrant, colorful illustrations inspired by her passion for animals and nature. She even follows biologists on social media for inspiration. In her interview, she revealed that she used to work at a call center before pursuing her dream of becoming an artist.
Durley shared that a portion of the proceeds from the collaboration benefits a biodiversity creation non-profit — highlighting Samsung Art Store’s positive impact on the broader ecosystem.
A Digital Curator Connecting Artists and Audiences Around the World
Samsung Art Store is building an extensive global portfolio of masterpieces that includes artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and artwork spanning various styles. By interviewing partnership representatives from esteemed museums and galleries worldwide, Samsung Newsroom offered Samsung Art Store subscribers behind-the-scenes stories of renowned pieces and tips for deeper appreciation.
▲ “Circus Sideshow (Parade de Cirque)” (1878-88) by Georges Seurat from The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Viewing historical paintings in digital forms can offer fresh perspectives. Stephen Mannello, Head of Retail and Licensing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), recommended Georges Seurat’s “Circus Sideshow” as a particularly engaging piece to display on The Frame. Other beloved works from The Met’s collection include pieces by Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne, conveying the timeless impact of art across different eras and spaces.
▲ “Sunflowers” (1889) by Vincent van Gogh from the Van Gogh Museum
Modern art is characterized by artists’ innovative expressions and interpretations that redefine the art world to encompass a spectrum of art styles spanning different eras and fields. Samsung Newsroom showcased some of the best modern and contemporary artists transcending both time and form — from Vincent van Gogh, who heralded the beginning of modern art, to Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic, who is recognized across various mediums including fashion, film and live art performances.
▲ “VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII” (2022) by Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic
Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is a prominent multidisciplinary artist renowned for his striking and emotive works, with works exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the White House. In his interview last year, he explained his signature ethereal ink painting technique and his representative work, “VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII.” In addition, Mestrovic recommended his favorite pieces available on Samsung Art Store for those who are unfamiliar with modern art.
To broaden the artistic horizons of Samsung Art Store subscribers, Samsung Newsroom introduced a diverse range of photographic artworks — from black-and-white photos to unconventionally angled aerial shots — along with stories from the artists about how they were created.
▲ “Vortex” (2009) by Wolf Ademeit
Wolf Ademeit, a photographer known for his black-and-white wildlife photographs, highlighted the significant role that luck plays in animal photography during his interview. To capture “Vortex,” he repeatedly visited the zoo for months until the zebra posed perfectly for the shot. Such anecdotes allowed Samsung Art Store subscribers to gain a deeper appreciation for the value and effort embedded in Ademeit’s work.
▲ “Red Dunes” (2021) by Palani Mohan
Palani Mohan offered a glimpse into the impact of the pandemic during his interview. Spending half of the year on the road capturing various landscapes, he gained a new perspective of Hong Kong and the local environment. Through his representative work “Red Dunes,” Mohan displayed his passion for vibrant colors and photography.
▲ “Playa Shoreline” (2015) by Tommy Clarke
Tommy Clarke, a world-renowned aerial photographer, underscored the significance of angles in photography during his interview — showcasing fresh perspectives and compositions captured from a helicopter.
Artists and representatives praised Samsung Art Store’s strength in overcoming physical constraints. The platform allows subscribers to easily access art from distant continents that might otherwise remain inaccessible while helping artists expand their reach and explore new opportunities.
▲ “She Snap” by Manzi Leon
The interview with African art organization Artlife Matters introduced previously unfamiliar African art to Samsung Art Store subscribers. Notably, “She Snap” by Manzi Leon expressed the thoughts and feelings of women within his community — sparking imaginations and deepening engagement with the piece.
▲ “Axon” (2018) by Logan Hicks
Logan Hicks, Samsung Art Store’s first contemporary artist, gained significant attention in his interview. Residing in New York City, he uses multiple layers of stencils to blend urban aesthetics with extreme precision and detail. His work resonates with those nostalgic for New York or wishing to experience the city’s streets for themselves. The collaboration between Hicks and Samsung Art Store is an unprecedented example of overcoming the physical limitations of art appreciation, bringing street art into the homes of subscribers.
Expanding Art’s Reach With Samsung Art Store
Art continues to transcend physical boundaries to reach a wider global audience — and Samsung Art Store is expanding public access to art by providing a new platform for exhibiting pieces. By using technology to lower the barriers to art appreciation, Samsung will continue to inspire Samsung Art Store subscribers and art enthusiasts everywhere through collaborations and stories.
Explore past interviews in the link below. (Note: Some partnerships may have expired. Please check on Samsung Art Store to see latest list of offerings.)
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By Samsung Newsroom
By Mahesh Gadhe