Palestinian-American Artist Sam Sundos Unveils Intricate Embroidery for "Let in Some Sky" Show
Set to unveil collaborative furniture with Lichen and roosi.
Sam Sundos is a Palestinian-American artist who resides in Brooklyn and uses a variety of mediums to express himself, including paintings, drawings, and embroidered tapestries. He incorporates recurring characters into his work to explore themes of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and the duality of human existence. His pieces often feature apathetic subjects in paintings and drawings, while his embroidered works depict dancing figures and imagined landscapes, conveying a sense of unity and hope. Sundos emphasizes the value of human life and touch through his art.
Sundos is the focus of an exhibition at Lichen NYC called “Let in Some Sky,” opening on April 28th. The show features his new works, which include framed embroideries as well as a collaborative dining table and stools with Lichen and roosi. Sundos’ pieces abstract and reinterpret traditional Palestinian embroidery techniques rooted from his personal experiences, resulting in his unique style. On Wednesday, before the Friday show premiere, Sundos will be conducting a workshop on embroidery at Lichen’s outpost. This two-hour session is designed for beginner-level embroidery enthusiasts, aiming to teach them how to make their own creations using materials such as six-inch hoops, canvases, needles, thread, and other supplies. Tickets to the workshop are already sold out.
Lichen, founded in 2017 by Ed Be and Jared Blake, is a furniture store in Ridgewood, New York, that is more than just a business. The store is named after a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and an alga and represents the symbiotic relationship between individuals. Lichen is an institution that transcends transaction, becoming a hub for curious individuals. The team collects and re-contextualizes secondhand furniture pieces, allowing the autonomous world of interiors to flourish.
In addition, roosi, a collaborative partner in the dining table and stools project, was founded with the goal of creating opportunities for children of immigrants and breaking down barriers for those who do not fit the conventional mold in the art industry. They strive to initiate projects that align with their vision and values, while also collaborating with community members whom they admire and respect.
“Let in Some Sky” will open to the public on April 28 with an opening reception from 7-8pm ET. Head to Lichen’s website and roosi’s website for more information on their collaborative projects.
Elsewhere, contemporary sculptor and artist Ken Kelleher has revealed his latest set of hand-knit creations with Darth Vader as his muse.
Lichen NYC
564 Woodward Ave
Queens, NY 11385
