Biography
Samantha M. Eckert was born in Glen Cove, NY and raised in Brownsville, VT. She lived in New Mexico for many years and returned to Vermont in 2012. Eckert earned her MFA in Visual Art in 2015 from Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT; a bachelor’s from Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT; and a Certificate in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM. She has attended several artist residencies including, Anderson Ranch Art Center, Snowmass, CO; Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT; La Macina di San Cresci, Greve, Chianti, Italy; and was a two-time artist in residence at The Studios at MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA. Eckert has exhibited in MA, NH, NM, VT, and Italy. She is a Vermont-based emerging artist.
(Shown in photo with crocheted textile made by her grandmother, Antonietta Aloi Mercadante)
Artist Statement
Samantha Mercadante Eckert is a curator and multidisciplinary artist. Her practice originates from an intuitive place, evolving through a process of time, deep looking, thinking, and experimentation. She draws inspiration from her Italian heritage and fragmented identity.
Eckert is continually caught up and off guard by the beauty of the stars (despite satellite movements), the mysteries of time, and a profound sense of longing. Thought threads that seep into the work include reflections on her childhood experiences and the exploration of themes such as dreams and the shifting nature of memories, as well as the interplay between coincidence and fate, all intertwined with elements of irony, myth, and faith. Subtle socio-political narratives include frustration with social media addiction, the disturbing pervasiveness of AI, and the complexities of politics, which are layered and often mired in fear and hate. Truth is synonymous with light, which she believes can only be found in nature.
The new clay works are crafted with care and gentle handling, embodying both feminine sensuality and a connection to nature, particularly sea plants and living organisms.
Eckert finds painting to be a challenging battle, both physically and mentally. Victory is achieved when the outcome aligns with her personal standards. She refers to the newest series as "The Tron Series," inspired by her ongoing fascination with wonder, imaginings, and sci-fi storytelling, which is often framed within straightforward narratives of good versus evil and biblical themes
