Sam Van Aken

Biography

Sam Van Aken is a contemporary artist who works beyond traditional modes of artmaking, crossing artistic genres and disciplines to develop new perspectives on such themes as agriculture, botany, climatology, memory and the ever-increasing impact of technology. Van Aken’s works in the natural and public realm are seen as metaphors that serve as the basis of narrative, sites of place making, collective learning and in some cases have even become the basis of scientific research.

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Van Aken received his undergraduate education in art and communication theory. Immediately following his studies, he lived in Poland and worked with dissident artists under the former communist regime through the auspices of the Andy Warhol Foundation and the United States Information Agency. Van Aken received an M.F.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since this time, his work has been exhibited and placed nationally and internationally. He has received numerous honors including a Joan Mitchell Foundation Award, Association of International Curator’s of Art Award and a Creative Capital Grant. Most recently, his work has been presented as part of “Nature-Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial” with the Cube Design Museum, Netherlands, as well as at the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His recent work “The Open Orchard” unveiled Summer 2021 on Governor’s Island, New York City.

Van Aken lives and works in Syracuse, New York, where he is currently an associate professor in the School of Art at Syracuse University. His work is represented by Ronald Feldman Fine Arts.

Education

• M.F.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Areas of Expertise

Sculpture and three dimensional arts, installation, site-specific sculpture, environmental art, public art, social practices, sound art, art theory, professional practices