“Watching him work, there’s an immense physical nature as he applies the materials. A slight dance ensues as he moves about the blank panels – splattering gesso, swiping paint, slapping down objects, tearing sections; he builds the layers up and then in step/ball change he pulls and rips layers away. Décollage and collage, yin and yang, hand in hand he builds and destroys.” — Danicia Monét
Samuel E Vázquez (b. San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1970) is a contemporary visual artist. He has exhibited alongside Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell, Sam Gilliam, Sabina Klein, Sam Francis, Keith Haring, Torrick “Toxic” Ablack, and Futura 2000 among others.
While growing up in New York City, starting in 1979, Samuel became captivated by the vibrant paintings covering the subways. Over the next few years, he fully immersed himself in the city’s thriving youth culture, participating in style writing, breaking, music, and connecting with the Downtown art scene. This led Samuel to earn degrees from New York City College of Technology—CUNY and Herron School of Art and Design—Indiana University.
Vázquez was a featured artist in special programming for the Ai Weiwei: According to What? Exhibition at Newfields. His work is rooted in the New York City subway painting era of the 1970s and 80s and informed by the work of Ed Clark, Mimmo Rotella, Jacques Villeglé, Jackson Pollock, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Biographies:
Graffiti Will Take You Nowhere (pdf)
Beauty in Found Materials (pdf)
Obsessed Show Podcast:
Part 1: Early Life, New York City 70s & 80s, Indy
Part 2: (Audio) Museum Exhibition, Music, Teaching • Part 2: Video
WQRT Radio • Good Vibrations 24:
Part 1: The roots and development of the hip-hop sound
Part 2: The sounds that influenced Hip Hop’s future
Press Kit (pdf)
GET THE BOOK!
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SAMUEL E VÁZQUEZ
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1970Lives and works in Indianapolis, IN and New York City
EDUCATION
BFA, Herron School of Art and Design—Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 2010AAS, New York City College of Technology—CUNY, Brooklyn, NY, 1991
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2026(forthcoming)
2017Samuel E Vázquez: Energy in Motion. Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis, IN.
Samuel E Vázquez: Unyielding. Gallery 924, Indianapolis, IN.
2015Samuel E Vázquez: A Rhythmic Pulse. The 646, Indianapolis, IN.
2014Samuel E Vázquez: In A Poetic Realm of Endless Motion. Beard Arts Center • Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN.
2013Samuel E Vázquez: Our Romance Cannot Last. Cultural Arts Gallery, Indianapolis IN.
Samuel E Vázquez: Underlined Phrases Of A Limitless Format. Clowes Memorial Hall • Butler Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN.
Samuel E Vázquez: Rock Those Rails. Five Talents Gallery, Indianapolis IN.
2012Samuel E Vázquez: Love Is The Master Rhythm. Madam Walker Center, Indianapolis IN.
2010Samuel E Vázquez: Cut/Mark. Urban Element 2, Indianapolis IN.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021Art For NYC. The Market Line, New York, NY.
Hip Hop Anthology, Vol. 2. The Indianapolis Public Library • Central, Indianapolis, IN.
Driven to Abstraction. Long-Sharp Gallery, Virtual.
2020Hip Hop Anthology, Vol. 1. The Indianapolis Public Library • Central, Indianapolis, IN.
2019Harvest Moon. Van Der Plas Gallery, New York, NY.
Samuel E Vázquez and Bernardo Navarro Tomás (Two-Person). NVP Contemporary Art Project, Dumbo • Brooklyn, NY.
The New York City Graffiti Hall of Fame and Hip Hop Festival. New York, NY.
Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Retrospective. Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2018Immersed. Clowes Memorial Hall • Butler Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN.
Meet The Artists 30. The Indianapolis Public Library • Central, Indianapolis IN.
2017City as Canvas: New York City Graffiti from the 70s & 80s. Indianapolis Museum of Art • Newfields, Indianapolis, IN.
On. Rapp Family Gallery • Indiana Landmarks Center, Indianapolis, IN.
Herencia: Latin-American Influence in Art. Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2016AIGA Indianapolis: 25 Years of Design in Indy. Tube Factory Artspace, Indianapolis, IN.
nexUS. Rapp Family Gallery • Indiana Landmarks Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2014Meet The Artists XXVI. The Indianapolis Public Library • Central, Indianapolis, IN.
2013Herencia. Two-Thirds Studio, Indianapolis, IN.
2012Art, Beats and Lyrics: Bilal Edition. The Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN.
The Day of the Dead/El Dia de los Muertos. Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN.
AMOR 2: Made In Indiana. Arch At Chatham Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
AMOR 2: Made In Indiana (Preview). Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN.
Reflected Light. Bread of Life, Avon, IN.
2011One Piece Show. Dean Johnson Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
2010May Open. Thru Space, Indianapolis, IN.
MAF Art and Fashion. Redemption, Indianapolis, IN.
NFS. Thru Space, Indianapolis, IN.
2009WINTER. Thru Space, Indianapolis, IN.
200625. Marsh Special Projects Gallery • Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis, IN.
2003Tenth Annual ADGA Alumni Exhibition. Grace Gallery, Brooklyn, NY.
2002AMOR: Latino Art in Indiana. Clowes Memorial Hall • Butler Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN.
AMOR: Latino Art in Indiana. Dean Johnson Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
1996The Best Show—ADCI. Artsgarden, Indianapolis, IN.
Herron Show. Herron Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
1993Herron Show. Herron Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
1991ADGA Show. Grace Gallery, Brooklyn, NY.
1990UW/TWA. Graffiti Hall of Fame, New York, NY.
CURATORIAL & SPECIAL PROJECTS
2021Offerta. Global. (Ongoing)
2019NVP—Contemporary Art Projects. Dumbo • Brooklyn, NY.
2018Immersed. Clowes Memorial Hall • Butler Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2017On. Rapp Family Gallery • Indiana Landmarks Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2009In An Expression of the Inexpressible. Dean Johnson Gallery, Indianapolis, IN.
200625. Marsh Special Projects Gallery • Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis, IN.
RECOGNITIONS
2018Shades of Pearl: MTA 30. Center For Black Literature and Culture, Indianapolis, IN.
2017Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship (2017—2018). Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN.
Scholar In Residence (2017—2019). IUPUI Arts and Humanities Institute, Indianapolis, IN.
SELECTED LECTURES & TALKS
2024Bubbles & Tags: Early Style Writing in New York City. Jordan College of the Arts • Butler University, Indianapolis IN.
Style & Frequency: Style Writing in New York City. Richard E. Peeler Art Center • DePauw University, Greencastle, IN.
2021Cultural Manifesto. NPR, Indianapolis, IN.
2020Good Vibrations: The Roots of Hip Hop (Part 1 & 2). WQRT, Indianapolis, IN.
2019Indiana Arts Homecoming Conference. Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, IN.
Courageous Conversations: Felrath Hines Edition. Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN.
2018Style & Frequency: The Birth of New York City Subway Style Writing. Richard E. Peeler Art Center • DePauw University, Greencastle, IN.
2017City as Canvas: New York City Graffiti from the 70s & 80s. DeBoest Lecture Hall • Newfields, Indianapolis, IN.
2016TILT: An Arts and Humanities Mixer (A National Humanities Month Event). Gallery 924, Indianapolis, IN.
2014From Subways To Gallery Walls. New York City College of Technology—CUNY, Brooklyn, NY.
Wrinkles of The City: La Havana. Heartland Film Festival, Indianapolis, IN.
In A Poetic Realm of Endless Motion. Beard Arts Center • Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN.
2013Clowes Conversations. Clowes Memorial Hall • Butler Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN.
Style Wars: Ai Weiwei Edition. The Toby • Newfields, Indianapolis, IN.
2012New York City 1980s. Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH.
2011Style Writing in New York City. IUPUI Library, Indianapolis, IN.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2023Herron School of Art and Design—Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
Spring: Visual Communication Design (Handmade Graphic Design)
2019New York City College of Technology—CUNY, Brooklyn, NY.
Fall: Communication Design (ComD 2)
2015Herron School of Art and Design—Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
Spring: Foundation Studies (Creative Process)
Fall: Foundation Studies (Creative Process), Visual Communication Design (Making Meaning)
2011Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, IN.
Fall: Visual Communication (VC 2 and Image Making)
Herron School of Art and Design—Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
Spring: Visual Communication Design (VC 2 and Typography 2)
2010Herron School of Art and Design—Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
Fall: Visual Communication Design (VC 1, Image 1, Image 3)
BIBLIOGRAPHY (Books & Catalogs)
2020Fragments. Photographs by Samuel E Vázquez, book
Art For NYC. A selection of New York City-based artists, catalog
2019Incisive. The Life and Work of Samuel E Vázquez, book
Collective Hurt: Reflections of an Edgeless Artist. Aislee Berenice Nieves, featured works by Samuel E Vázquez, book
2017Samuel E Vázquez: Unyielding. Solo Exhibition, catalog
2015Samuel E Vázquez: Works (2011—2015). Selected Works, catalog
BIBLIOGRAPHY (Selected Articles & Reviews)
2023Indy Correspondent, Samuel E. Vázquez: How a firehouse became his canvas, by Dan Grossman — 28 March
Obsessed Show (Episode 175), Samuel E Vázquez — 20 March
2021WISH TV, Indy Style. Hip Hop Anthology, Vol. 2 — 1 June
2020The Indianapolis Star. Hip Hop Anthology, Vol. 1 — 14 August
2019CBS News. National Art Day — 25 October
PBS. Recharged: The Art of Creative Renewal (Documentary) — 16 May
2018Pattern, The Art Issue: State of the Artists, by Danicia Monét — 13 October
No Mean City, Beauty In Found Materials, by Danicia Monét — 18 July
2017Herron News. Keeping Focus with Restless Energy: A Q&A with Samuel E Vázquez — 2 November
NUVO. Graffiti on the Walls of the IMA, by Seth Johnson — 4 October
The Indianapolis Star. IMA’s New Graffiti Exhibit Includes Keith Haring, Lee Quiñones (City as Canvas preview), by Jeff Vrabel — 25 August
NUVO. The Art of Herencia: a show of Latin American Art, by Dan Grossman — 7 March
NUVO. Making Art About (and in) the Space Above Us, by Dan Grossman — 5 February
2016What You Write. Samuel E Vázquez: Unyielding Q&A — Fall
NUVO. Woolen Blankets And Writing, by Dan Grossman — 19 October
NUVO. A Herron Nexus: Group Exhibition Preview, by Dan Grossman — 24 August
Eñe. Samuel E Vázquez (Artist interview; Part 2) — Summer
MilesHerndon. Designing With Passion: Advice from Samuel E Vázquez — 23 June
Eñe. Samuel E Vázquez (Artist interview; Part 1) — Spring
Obsessed With Design. Samuel E Vázquez — 25 April
2015NUVO. Graffiti Writer Samuel E Vázquez Returns To His Roots, by Emily Taylor — 2 September
Telemundo. ‘En Contexto’ Pre-taped television artist feature/interview — February
2014Jung Katz. Artist Interview — 3 October
12ozProphet. Interview: Brame UW (Samuel E Vázquez) — August
Handselecta. Flip The Script: Brame UW (Samuel E Vázquez) — August
The Indianapolis Star. Wrinkles of the City: La Havana Preview — 8 April
The Indianapolis Star. Meet The Artists Review — 10 February
NPR. The Art of the Matter — 30 January
The Indianapolis Recorder. Meet The Artists Preview — 24 January
Between The Lines. Meet The Artists, The Indianapolis Public Library - Central — January
2013Sky Blue Window. Our Romance Cannot Last, by Elias Arnett — 30 November
PBS. The Show Goes On: Clowes Memorial Hall at 50 — October
Connections. Samuel E Vázquez: From New York City Graffiti Artist to Internationally Recognized Abstract Expressionist Painter, by Dale Tarnowieski —Fall
Surface Area. Brame UW (Samuel E Vázquez), by Dave Combs and ChrisRWK — Fall
NUVO. From Street to Gallery: Samuel E Vázquez, by Scott Shoger — 26 June
Sky Blue Window. Aerosol Art, by by Kirsten Eamon-Shine — May 31
Humanize. Samuel E Vázquez: Graffiti Was Our Social Network, by Karla D. Romero — March
2012The Indianapolis Star. Artist Smooths Graffiti Era’s Rough Edges, by Janet Schneider — 1 November
2009NUVO. In An Expression of the Inexpressible, by Dan Grossman — September
2008The Indianapolis Star. Creativity under contract, by Christopher Lloyd — March
2007Nieuw Haarlem. A Casual Conversation with Samuel E Vázquez — Winter
2006Stereotype Mini. Samuel E Vázquez / 25 — Fall
PBS. 25 — September
Indy’s Music Channel. 25 — September
STEP inside design. Designers in Action, by Terry Lee Stone — March/April
2005The Indianapolis Recorder. Vázquez Creates Art With East Coast Flair, by Brandon A. Perry — 5 August
2003Connections. ADGA Exhibit at Grace Gallery, feature — Fall
2002WISH TV 8. AMOR: Latino Art in Indiana — October
The Indianapolis Star. AMOR: Latino Art in Indiana — October
2001FOX 59 News. Artist profile — September
BIBLIOGRAPHY (Selected Press Mentions)
Agence France-PresseBitique
Boing Boing
CMYK
Collective Empire
Design Observer
Dirty Mouse
FFFFOUND!
FormFiftyFive
German Design Council
Grafikcache
Graphic 09
Indy Style
Intake
LiquidTeks
Omaha World Herald
Print
Provocate
Quipsologies/Under Consideration
Swiss Legacy
The Strange Attractor
Thinking for a Living
Type for you.
TypeNeu
TypoJungle
Visuelle