Studies on dualities



Dualities in textures, materials and colour are a signature of Samer’s work.

His love for parallel lines led him to explore the interplay between various materials by sandwiching contrasting slabs of one medium or colour with another, again and again, creating a visual rhythm that has become a signature of his work.

In carving different patterns on the surfaces of his materials, Samer is able to add intrigue and extend the visual narratives his works inform. The mixing and matching of patterns gives individual characteristics to the slabs of materials that together, create a whole.

“Barely touched by human hand, it seemed to exude ancient mysteries, feelings enhanced by its suspension in mid air, the very idea of which defied not only all conventional ideas about displaying stone sculptures, but also the very nature of the stone itself. Instantly one was made aware of the sheer presence and weight of the slab.” –Meg Abu Hamdan

The idea of toying with dualities was also present throughout Samer’s catalog when looking at his color palette. The earliest evidence of his deliberate use of contrasting colors can be seen in his 1982 black and white ladder works. Samer admits his stay in Morocco, and closeness to Africa, gave him a good distraction from sculpting. This allowed him to shift his gaze from carving and embedding, to painting and covering different surfaces with color.


