INTRODUCTION

This account of the ceramic sculptor, Ben Sams, features his own photographs, videos, and writings. They reveal his own views about his life and art and provide unique documentation.

The first section, Artist and Art, presents an overview of Sams’ life and art. It is divided into sections reflecting significant periods and developments. It includes a video based on a television interview. The second and third sections present the art he produced in the two main phases of his life and art, that in Montana and later in Washington. Together they comprise a comprehensive archive of his work. Featured Art, features a gallery showcasing Sams’ art, a revealing analysis of an artwork by Sams himself, and two topical galleries. Sams Himself presents four videos derived from television programs and several of his writings. A biography by Cynthia Sams and a current resume are presented in Biographical. An invited commentary by the noted artist, John Armstrong, a classmate of Sams, as well as a number of reviews of exhibits is presented in Commentary. I offer a concluding note and acknowledgements in Conclusion.

The artwork on the opening page of the site, The Juggler, is pictured in LaMar Harrington's book, Ceramics in the Pacific Northwest, a History, 1979, page 105. A bowl from the collection of Arlene Schnitzer is featured on page 9.

Note that almost all images of artworks may be enlarged and any available information about them displayed by clicking on them. Videos and most enlarged images may be enlarged in Full Screen mode.

Robert Dale