SAM3
Sapin
Born in Elche in 1980, the Spanish artist SAM3 is best known for his silhouette-like murals. Many are as tall as a house and relate directly to their urban surroundings. His works are ironic, poetic and above all provocative.Shadows on the WallThe figures he calls “shadows” are black, anonymous and often as tall as a building. They merge with their surroundings and allow for many readings. Reduced to a few colours and a graphic style, they have an unusual presence. Precisely because of their simplicity, they invite viewers to engage, and their message unfolds only step by step.Symbols, Figures and MetamorphosesHis figures are shaped by figurative elements that undergo metamorphoses with their surroundings. SAM3 works with symbols such as roots and ladders. Figures with oversized heads are typical of his style. His motifs take up classic philosophical themes, question everyday habits and refer to current social debates.From Graffiti to Monumental PaintingSAM3 began with graffiti in the 1990s. Today he paints murals in more than ten countries. He lives and works between Murcia and Madrid and paints worldwide. Often he creates not just individual pictures but whole stories, which he tells in experimental stop-motion short films. Alongside painting, he works with sculpture, ceramics and drawing.Festivals and ProjectsIn 2007 SAM3 took part in Banksy’s project Santa’s Ghetto in Bethlehem. His works have been created at festivals including the Fame Festival in Grottaglie, the Outdoor Festival in Rome and the Memorie Urbane Festival in Gaeta.Exhibitions with Pretty PortalIn 2010 Pretty Portal presented his solo exhibition Nice to meet you. In 2016 SAM3 curated the exhibition SWEETASH. In 2023 he was part of the group exhibition ENIGMA together with REMED.