The Three Exiles of the German-born artist Samson Schames (1898-1967)

In this virtual event, the German-born artist Samson Schames (1898-1967) will be discussed by a panel of experts: Annika Friedman (Germany) will elaborate on the artist’s beginnings in Frankfurt, Rachel Dickson, PhD (UK) will give an insight into the work he made in British exile, and Ori Z. Soltes, PhD (USA) will speak about the work he created in his new home, New York. The presentations will be followed by a discussion and Q&A moderated by Rachel Stern.

Samson Schames came from a long-established Jewish family in Frankfurt am Main (Germany). With the support of his uncle, renowned gallery owner Ludwig Schames, he made his way into the 1920s art scene and began his training as a painter, graphic artist, and stage designer. Schames’ designs, drawings, and oil paintings from his time in Frankfurt testify to his deep connection to his hometown and her landscapes.

After the National Socialists rose to power in 1933, Schames was only able to exhibit his works in exhibitions of the Jüdischer Kulturbund or in his own studio. In 1937, at least seven of his works were confiscated from public collections as part of the Nazi campaign against "Degenerate Art."

Schames fled to England via Holland after the Kristallnacht pogroms of November 1938. In 1940, he was interned in Huyton Camp, near Liverpool, as a so-called ‘enemy alien’. After his release he exhibited extensively in London and became known for his mosaics in which he incorporated broken and found materials scavenged from bombsites.

In 1948, Schames immigrated to the USA, where he continued his career until he died in 1967.

This event is part of the online series Flight or Fight. stories of artists under repression.

To register, click here.