Sam Jackson
We caught up with Sam Jackson just after his successful show at Charlie Smith London gallery. Harry Pye asks the questions …
Le Document (LD) Did you grow up in a house where there were reproductions of artworks on the walls and were you taken to art galleries?
Sam Jackson (SJ) Yes there were probably more show posters – Lucian Freud, Hockney, Richard Hamilton, Pauline Boty, Kath Kollowitz, Raphael and Rembrandt. Books, we had a great one of Bob Thompson. We did go to galleries but not much, seeing punks in Camden as a kid – the face tattoos – growing up on a council estate it was a varied old mix.
LD What was the first artwork that moved you or fascinated you?
SJ Probably a print my dad did – it had a hidden mouse in it.
LD What were the best things about studying at the RA? Were there any tutors you particularly connected with?
SJ The best things was no fees, space, a small cohort (blessing and a curse) 3 years to study, the RA shows on above us, location and bar. I connected with all tutors in different ways for different things. Sacha Craddock, Gary Hume, Danny Rolph, Jo Bruton, Liz Neale, Gerad Hemsworth, Tom Lubbock, Morris Cockrill, Vanessa Jackson, Eliza Bonham- Carter, Brian Griffiths, Keith Wilson, Tony Benn, John Wilkins, Jeremy Gilbert Rolfe, Eileen Cooper and Richard Kerwin were all very helpful in my development.
LD The gallery who represents you, Charliesmithlondon is run by Zavier Ellis. Can you tell me about how you met and what he’s like to work with?
'Voodoo Chile', 2021 Oil, spray paint, ink, pencil on board 32x22.5cm
SJ Charliesmithlondon has represented me since leaving the RA Schools in 2007 and has become a relationship on many different levels but firstly on trust – trusting in Zavier to develop, support my career whilst also helping each other as best we can. In all ways – after 15 years this bond and connection runs very deep – but I also like to see what I can also bring to the table, working together – I have utmost faith in him as a dealer and gallerist whilst admiring and respecting his own practice as an artist, friend, gallerist and mentor and always excited about what’s next. And running and being dads to crazy kids.
LD Your most recent show is called Collaborators. Can you tell me a bit about how the show came about and why you wanted to do it?
SJ The show was formulated around our mutual awareness and respect for working with others, connecting, and how this could be brought together for a show. The show prep and communication was in itself another collaboration. In lockdown this is within the digital – email, zoom and texts – a digital collaboration. So in essence there was a double collaboration.
LD Will there ever be Collaborations: part two? Is there anyone you nearly made a work about?
SJ I hope so, we have thought about collectors, artists, collaborations are everywhere in lots of forms and ways.
LD Do you have any favourite portrait painters from the past?
SJ In the not too far past, Liz Peyton, Dumas, Borremans-Sylvia Sleigh. Further back, Sargent, Caravaggio, Elisabetta Sirani, Picabia, Bacon, Lautrec, Modigliani, and Tamara Natalie Madden.
LD Is there anyone making work now that you see as being a kindred spirit?
SJ There are, probably Alison Blickle, the treatment of the paint is incredible and the content is contemporary and important – I very much rate her work – hope to do a show one day soon and of course my wife Sarah Jane Hender – she is an amazing artist within sculpture and painting and really inspires my work with her use of differing techniques but also the blends of cultural awareness.
LD How has 2021 been so far?
SJ On a professional level it’s been amazing with works on paper, the collaboration show, I’m currently working on some bigger works for Volta Basel. Hopefully a two person with Alison somewhere in the world, and another very exciting 3 person show in October in Frieze week.
Above:
Sweet dreams are made of this
2021
Oil, spray paint, ink, pencil on board
32 x 22.5cm
More information from Charlie Smith London
Sam Jackson Private view, 2021
