Alumna Honored in Exhibition
Em Samolewicz, MFA class of 2014, passed away in a bike accident this summer in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Mason Gross students, staff and faculty, along with Em's friends curated some of her works into the recent Bring Samples (Welcome Back) group show. The installation of Samolewicz's work is currently on view in a sunny room of Mason Gross Galleries.
Below is an excerpt from the exhibition materials, followed by photos from the exhibition, which is on view through Wednesday, September 18, 2019.
Below is an excerpt from the exhibition materials, followed by photos from the exhibition, which is on view through Wednesday, September 18, 2019.
After her death, an informal group of friends, lovers and fellow artists came together to curate this selection of her work for the annual Welcome Back show.
More images of her work are available at samolewicz.com
Curated by: Eric Dunn, Brice Garrett, Rose Kaplan-Bomberg, Sophy Naess, Lena Schmid, RL Srinivasan.
Thank you to: Michael Caudo, Marc Handelman, Daonne Huff, Leo Madriz, Jonathan Santoro, Meredith Sellers.
Em Samolewicz (photo by Perri Hofmann).
Em Samolewicz (photo by Perri Hofmann).
After graduating from Rutgers in 2014, Em continued her practice, which spanned illustration, painting, drawing and installation. The alumna was also an active contributor to Brooklyn's Third Root Community Health Center, which provides access to healing services for transwomen. A note from the Third Root Collective & Staff:
Em worked at Third Root first as a volunteer and then as an admin staff member since 2016. A key member of our worker family, she brought her passion, humor, and creative sense to our space and made it her home. Em was deeply committed to ensuring healing services were accessible and provided for trans feminine community.
We hold Em and her loved ones in our hearts, along with all of you.
From love and through grief,
Third Root Collective & Staff
Em Samolewicz (photo by Perri Hofmann).
How to view Em Samolewicz's work at Mason Gross:
Bring Samples (on view through Wednesday, September 18, 2019)
Mason Gross Galleries
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ
Viewing Hours:
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays*
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesdays
Noon–4 p.m. Saturdays
Free and open to the public.
Wheelchair accessible