Sam Cush (Philadelphia, PA) is a cross-disciplinary artist and designer who explores visualizations of identity through the embellishing and queering of cultural memory.
In their personal practice, this materializes in video, sound, textile fabrication, large scale installation, and archival curation. A hole in a bathroom stall wall becomes a viewfinder; an heirloom tomato blooms into terror and magic; Nicolas Cage’s dirtied tank top translates into an object of worship.
In their client work, Sam provides creative direction and builds conceptual brand identities through digital, video, and print channels.
Their interests further lie in examining the social and physical impact and intersections of material and digital culture; memory and embellishment as acts of portraiture; tension of social contracts and taboo.
Their work has been exhibited nationally in Philadelphia (Huddle, Stella Elkins Gallery, Straw Gallery, Philadelphia Video Showcase), New York (Wraymour & Flanigan), and Tennessee (Stoveworks). Press includes Brand New, NicheMusic, WXPN, VariousSmallFlames, Analogue Trash.
They earned their BFA in Graphic & Interactive Design, Fiber & Material Studies from the Tyler School of Art & Architecture at Temple University.
They work full time as a Senior Designer at J2 and Exit, integrated branding and placemaking agencies based in Philadelphia. Additionally, they are an adjunct professor at the Tyler School of Art & Architecture, having previously taught digital tools survey classes, typography, and branding. They program and curate Huddle, a creative space and gallery in Philadelphia.
CV available upon request.
