Multi-disciplinary artist Samson Young works in sound, performance, video, and installation. In 2017 he represented Hong Kong with a solo project titled Songs for Disaster Relief at the 57th Venice Biennale. He was the recipient of the BMW Art Journey Award, a Prix Ars Electronica Award of Distinction in Sound Art and Digital Music, and in 2020 he was awarded the inaugural Uli Sigg Prize.
He has exhibited at venues such as the Guggenheim Museum, New York; Gropius Bau, Berlin; Performa 19, New York; Biennale of Sydney; Shanghai Biennale; National Museum of Art, Osaka; National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul; Ars Electronica, Linz; and documenta 14: documenta radio, among others. Recent solo projects include: the De Appel, Amsterdam; Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf; Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh; SMART Museum, Chicago; Centre for Contemporary Chinese Art, Manchester; Manchester International Festival; M+ Pavilion, Hong Kong; Mori Art Museum, Tokyo; Ryosoku-in at the Kenninji Temple, Kyoto; Monash University Museum of Art, Melbourne; and Jameel Art Centre, Dubai, among others.
Samson Young studied music, philosophy and gender studies. He was Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s Artist Associate in 2008, and graduated with a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Princeton University in 2013.
Samson Young B. Hong Kong, China, 1979
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Frames and variations”, Petzel Gallery, 2023.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Frames and variations”, Petzel Gallery, 2023.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Frames and variations”, Petzel Gallery, 2023.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
4-channel videos with 6 channels of audio (composition for viola, crotales, woodblock, self-playing piano, e-bows on piano strings, electronic sounds, water fountain, painted screens, and custom software).
Duration variable.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
Solo performer with computer, MIDI breath controller, automated percussion instruments, speakers, color spotlight, color LED lightbulbs, repurposed bottles, carton box, plastic sheets, carpet.
Dimensions variable, duration 6 hours.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
2023
Solo performer with computer, MIDI breath controller, automated percussion instruments, speakers, color spotlight, color LED lightbulbs, repurposed bottles, carton box, plastic sheets, carpet.
Dimensions variable, duration 6 hours.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
2023
Solo performer with computer, MIDI breath controller, automated percussion instruments, speakers, color spotlight, color LED lightbulbs, repurposed bottles, carton box, plastic sheets, carpet.
Dimensions variable, duration 6 hours.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
2023
Solo performer with computer, MIDI breath controller, automated percussion instruments, speakers, color spotlight, color LED lightbulbs, repurposed bottles, carton box, plastic sheets, carpet.
Dimensions variable, duration 6 hours.
Image courtesy of the artist and Petzel, New York City.
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
2-channel video with stereo sound (composition for viola, synthesized glass harmonica, and triangle), 17 min 03 sec; repurposed recording isolation booth, dimensions variable; repurposed piano and electronic bow, dimensions variable
2-channel video with stereo sound (composition for viola, synthesized glass harmonica, and triangle), 17 min 03 sec; repurposed recording isolation booth, dimensions variable; repurposed piano and electronic bow, dimensions variable
2-channel video with stereo sound (composition for viola, synthesized glass harmonica, and triangle), 17 min 03 sec; repurposed recording isolation booth, dimensions variable; repurposed piano and electronic bow, dimensions variable
2-channel video with stereo sound (composition for viola, synthesized glass harmonica, and triangle), 17 min 03 sec; repurposed recording isolation booth, dimensions variable; repurposed piano and electronic bow, dimensions variable
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
Soft pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
100 x 72 cm
Framed: 112 x 82 cm
Soft pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
100 x 72cm
Framed: 112 x 82cm
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
Soft pastel, pencil, and color pencil on paper
100 x 72cm
Framed: 112 x 82cm
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
Generative videos (durational variable), acrylic on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed mic-stand, repurposed texts (English translations of K’ang Hsi’s Sacred Edicts, Prince Shotoku’s jūshichijō kenpō, the Precepts of Ptahhotep), LCD screens, custom software
26 x 26 x 147 cm
Artist book (3d-printed PLA, repurposed printed materials [artist’s MRI brain scan])
15 x 22 x 4 cm
Soft pastel and stamp on paper
Framed: 36 x 28.2 cm
Acrylic and pastel on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed fan
52 x 52 x 80 cm
Part of a set of 3
Acrylic and pastel on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed fan
52 x 52 x 80 cm
Part of a set of 3
Acrylic and pastel on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed fan
42 x 42 x 150 cm
Part of a set of 3
Acrylic and pastel on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed fan
42 x 42 x 150 cm
Part of a set of 3
Acrylic and pastel on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed fan
42 x 42 x 155 cm
Part of a set of 3
Acrylic and pastel on 3d-printed PLA, repurposed fan
42 x 42 x 155 cm
Part of a set of 3
Samson Young, solo exhibition, “Music for selective hearing,
or assisted living”, Kiang Malingue, Hong Kong, 2022.
Photo by Kwan Sheung Chi
Installation view, “the mind blanks at the glare”, Galleria Gisela Capitain, 2022
Courtesy of Galleria Gisela Capitain
Photo by Simon Vogel
Installation view, “the mind blanks at the glare”, Galleria Gisela Capitain, 2022
Courtesy of Galleria Gisela Capitain
Photo by Simon Vogel
Installation view, “the mind blanks at the glare”, Galleria Gisela Capitain, 2022
Courtesy of Galleria Gisela Capitain
Photo by Simon Vogel
Installation view, “the mind blanks at the glare”, Galleria Gisela Capitain, 2022
Courtesy of Galleria Gisela Capitain
Photo by Simon Vogel
Installation view, “the mind blanks at the glare”, Galleria Gisela Capitain, 2022
Courtesy of Galleria Gisela Capitain
Photo by Simon Vogel
Installation view, “Artist’s Rooms: Samson Young”, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, 2021.
Courtesy of Jameel Arts Centre.
Photo by Daniella Bapista
Installation view, “Artist’s Rooms: Samson Young”, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, 2021.
Courtesy of Jameel Arts Centre.
Photo by Daniella Bapista
Installation view, “Artist’s Rooms: Samson Young”, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, 2021.
Courtesy of Jameel Arts Centre.
Photo by Daniella Bapista
Installation view, “Artist’s Rooms: Samson Young”, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, 2021.
Courtesy of Jameel Arts Centre.
Photo by Daniella Bapista
Installation view, “Artist’s Rooms: Samson Young”, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, 2021.
Courtesy of Jameel Arts Centre.
Photo by Daniella Bapista
Installation view, “Artist’s Rooms: Samson Young”, Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai, 2021.
Courtesy of Jameel Arts Centre.
Photo by Daniella Bapista
Video with stereo sound (composition for brass ensemble, 35 mins), graphical scores (color pencil and soft pastel on plywood, color pencil on acrylic, digital print on fabric), repurposed found objects, soft pastel on 3d printed PLA
Commissioned by CLAB, Taipei
Courtesy of the artist
Installation view, “Replay,” C-LAB, Taipei, 2020
Photo by Terry Lin Photography
Installation view, “Replay,” C-LAB, Taipei, 2020
Photo by Terry Lin Photography
Performance view, “Replay,” C-LAB, Taipei, 2020
Photo by Terry Lin Photography
Performance view, “Replay,” C-LAB, Taipei, 2020
Photo by Terry Lin Photography
Production still. © Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
“Samson Young: Close Reading”, Ryosoku-in at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto, 2020.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Photo: Nobutada Omote
Image courtesy: Performa 19 Biennial and the artist. Photo: Caroline Budge.
Image courtesy: Performa 19 Biennial and the artist. Photo: Caroline Budge.
Animation still. Image courtesy of the artist.
Animation still. Image courtesy of the artist.
‘Immortals’ in the exhibition ‘Unconstrained Textiles: Stitching Methods, Crossing Ideas’, Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong, 2020. Image courtesy: Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong and the artist. Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung.
‘Immortals’ in the exhibition ‘Unconstrained Textiles: Stitching Methods, Crossing Ideas’, Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong, 2020. Image courtesy: Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong and the artist. Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung.
‘Immortals’ in the exhibition ‘Unconstrained Textiles: Stitching Methods, Crossing Ideas’, Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong, 2020. Image courtesy: Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong and the artist. Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung.
‘Immortals’ in the exhibition ‘Unconstrained Textiles: Stitching Methods, Crossing Ideas’, Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong, 2020. Image courtesy: Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong and the artist. Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung.
‘Immortals’ in the exhibition ‘Unconstrained Textiles: Stitching Methods, Crossing Ideas’, Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong, 2020. Image courtesy: Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles, Hong Kong and the artist. Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung.
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
‘Houses of Tomorrow’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy of Me?’, Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, 2019
Image courtesy: Smart Museum of Art and the artist
Photo: Michael Tropea
‘Houses of Tomorrow’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy of Me?’, Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, 2019
Image courtesy: Smart Museum of Art and the artist
Photo: Michael Tropea
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
‘Utopia Trilogy #2: Da Da Company’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy of Me?’, Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, 2019
Image courtesy: Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago and the artist
Photo: Michael Tropea
‘Utopia Trilogy #2: Da Da Company’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy of Me?’, Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, 2019
Image courtesy: Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago and the artist
Photo: Michael Tropea
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
3D-printed nylon, soft pastel, Jesmonite, polyurethane foam, timber, plywood, plaster, paint, bronze, 16-channel sound installation, 10 short compositions at regular intervals
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Sally Jubb
3D-printed nylon, soft pastel, Jesmonite, polyurethane foam, timber, plywood, plaster, paint, bronze, 16-channel sound installation, 10 short compositions at regular intervals
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Sally Jubb
‘Orchestrations’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young – Real Music’, Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh, 2019
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Ink, pastel, colour pencil and watercolour on paper with artist frame (3D-printed PLA), 30 x 21 cm
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Ink, pastel, colour pencil and watercolour on paper with artist frame (3D-printed PLA), 30 x 21 cm
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
Animation still
Image courtesy of the artist
‘The highway is like a lion’s mouth’, Edouard Malingue Gallery, Shanghai, 2018
Image courtesy: Edouard Malingue Gallery and the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
‘The highway is like a lion’s mouth’, Edouard Malingue Gallery, Shanghai, 2018
Image courtesy: Edouard Malingue Gallery and the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
Coloured fineliner pen, color pencil and pastel on paper, 30 x 21 cm
Image courtesy: Edouard Malingue Gallery and the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
Coloured fineliner pen, color pencil and pastel on paper, 1 in set of 5 drawings, 30 x 21 cm
Image courtesy: Edouard Malingue Gallery and the artist
Photo: Lily Chan
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
‘One Hand Clapping’ at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, May 4–October 21, 2018
© Samson Young. Image courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit: Ji Hoon Kim, New York/Seoul
Silk-screen print on vinyl cover, felt tip pen on vinyl records, 3D-printed nylon, vitrine of found objects, movable curtain system, neon, video, animation and 10-channel sound installation
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Silk-screen print on vinyl cover, felt tip pen on vinyl records, 3D-printed nylon, vitrine of found objects, movable curtain system, neon, video, animation and 10-channel sound installation
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Silk-screen print on vinyl cover, felt tip pen on vinyl records, 3D-printed nylon, vitrine of found objects, movable curtain system, neon, video, animation and 10-channel sound installation
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Silk-screen print on vinyl cover, felt tip pen on vinyl records, 3D-printed nylon, vitrine of found objects, movable curtain system, neon, video, animation and 10-channel sound installation
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Silk-screen print on vinyl cover, felt tip pen on vinyl records, 3D-printed nylon, vitrine of found objects, movable curtain system, neon, video, animation and 10-channel sound installation
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Image courtesy of the artist
Silk-screen print on vinyl cover, felt tip pen on vinyl records, 3D-printed nylon, vitrine of found objects, movable curtain system, neon, video, animation and 10-channel sound installation
Image of courtesy the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
‘We Are the World, as performed by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Choir’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young: Songs for Disaster Relief’, 57th Venice Biennale, 2017
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
‘We Are the World, as performed by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Choir’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young: Songs for Disaster Relief’, 57th Venice Biennale, 2017
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Video still
Image courtesy of the artist
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
‘Muted Situation #22: Muted Tchaikovsky’s 5th’ in 21st Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2018
Image courtesy of the artist, Edouard Malingue Gallery, Hong Kong; Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne; and Team Gallery, New York
Photo: Silversalt Photography
‘Muted Situation #22: Muted Tchaikovsky’s 5th’ in 21st Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2018
Image courtesy of the artist, Edouard Malingue Gallery, Hong Kong; Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne; and Team Gallery, New York
Photo: Silversalt Photography
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
Production still
Image courtesy of the artist
‘Muted Situation #22: Muted Tchaikovsky’s 5th’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young – Real Music’, Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh, 2019
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Sally Jubb
‘Muted Situation #22: Muted Tchaikovsky’s 5th’ in the exhibition ‘Samson Young – Real Music’, Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh, 2019
Image courtesy: Talbot Rice Gallery, The University of Edinburgh and the artist
Photo: Sally Jubb
Radio drama production still
Photo: Simon Bray, Manchester
Radio drama production still
Photo: Simon Bray, Manchester
‘One of Two Stories, or Both (Field Bagatelles)’ in Manchester International Fesitval, 2017
Photo: Simon Bray, Manchester
‘One of Two Stories, or Both (Field Bagatelles)’ in Manchester International Fesitval, 2017
Photo: Simon Bray, Manchester
Live performance in the exhibition ‘A dark theme keeps me here, I’ll make a broken music’, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, 2016/2017
Image courtesy: Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
‘A dark theme keeps me here, I’ll make a broken music’, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, 2016/2017
Image courtesy: Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
‘Canon’ in Art Basel Unlimited 2016
© Samson Young
Image courtesy Galerie Giesla Capitain and Team Gallery
Photo Credit: Simon Vogel
Production still
©Samson Young
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
Production still
©Samson Young
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
Production still
©Samson Young
Image courtesy: The Smithsonian and the artist
Photo: Harry Kong
‘Muted Situations’ in ‘A dark theme keeps me here, I’ll make a broken music’, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, 2016/2017
Image courtesy: Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and the artist
Photo: Simon Vogel, Cologne
Performance still
Image courtesy: Hamburger Bahnhof and the artist
Photo: Miro Kuzmanovic
Performance still
Image courtesy: Hamburger Bahnhof and the artist
Photo: Miro Kuzmanovic
Performance still
Image courtesy: Hamburger Bahnhof and the artist
Photo: Miro Kuzmanovic
Performance still
Image courtesy: Hamburger Bahnhof and the artist
Photo: Miro Kuzmanovic
‘Coffee Cantata’ in ‘Sparkle! I Wanna Eat Yummy Yummy’, Oi! Art Space, 2015
© Samson Young
Image courtesy: Oi! Art Space and the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
‘Coffee Cantata’ in ‘Sparkle! I Wanna Eat Yummy Yummy’, Oi! Art Space, 2015
© Samson Young
Image courtesy: Oi! Art Space and the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
‘Coffee Cantata’ in ‘Sparkle! I Wanna Eat Yummy Yummy’, Oi! Art Space, 2015
© Samson Young
Image courtesy: Oi! Art Space and the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
Image courtesy of the artist
Video production still, 2015
Image and photo courtesy of the artist
Fieldwork documentation
©Samson Young
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
Fieldwork documentation
©Samson Young
Image courtesy of the artist
Photo: Dennis Man Wing Leung
Ink, pencil, watercolour, xerox print on paper
©Samson Young
Image courtesy of the artist
Ink, pencil, watercolour, xerox print on paper
©Samson Young
Image courtesy of the artist