Samuel Levi Jones

Samuel Levi Jones is an American artist known for his assemblage art and abstract paintings. His work frequently explores African-American history and identity through the use of historically sourced materials.

Biography of Samuel Levi Jones

Born in 1978 in Marion, Indiana, Samuel Levi Jones has a deep personal connection to the town's painful history. He is the great nephew, through marriage, of Abraham S. Smith, one of the men lynched in Marion in 1930. This connection has influenced Jones's exploration of race, justice, and societal inequities in his artwork.

Jones discovered his passion for visual arts while studying Communication Studies at Taylor University, where a photography class ignited his interest. He furthered his education in photography at the Herron School of Art and Design, where he won the Junior Bratton Award. Jones pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art at Mills College, where he began incorporating books into his artwork, marking a significant shift in his creative process. He is currently based in Chicago, Illinois.

Samuel Levi Jones's Famous Paintings

One of Samuel Levi Jones's notable works is "Left of Center," which became famous for its exploration of historical narratives and social issues. Jones uses deconstructed books, textbooks, and encyclopedias as his primary materials. By repurposing these printed materials, he creates abstract compositions that challenge traditional notions of art and provoke reflection on societal structures.

Samuel Levi Jones's Art Style

Samuel Levi Jones's art style is characterized by his use of found objects and discarded materials, particularly deconstructed books. His technique involves layering and manipulating these materials to create textured, abstract compositions. Themes of social consciousness, racial identity, trauma, and memory are central to his work. Jones is inspired by the need to address historical injustices and explore the complexities of collective memory and contemporary society.

Exhibitions and Collections

Jones's first solo exhibition, "Left of Center," was held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields in 2019. Other significant exhibitions include *The Empire is Falling* at The Dayton Contemporary in Ohio and *Unbound* at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York. His work is part of several public museum collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). These exhibitions and collections underscore Jones's impact on contemporary art and his exploration of critical social issues.