Mary Ann Sampson (born 1941) is an American artist based in Ragland, Alabama, known for her work in book arts, with a focus on miniatures, broadsides, and handcrafted books.
[2] Later, Sampson founded OEOCO PRESS (One-Eye Opera Company), which specializes in producing limited-edition letterpress books, handmade volumes, and bookbinding projects.
[3] Sampson has expressed an interest in the human form, saying, "I have a real interest in how the human figure wiggles about"[1] and noting that her former career as a nurse gave her an appreciation of "human interaction and pain and troubles.
"[4] She calls her cousin, Ruth Faison Shaw, her first artistic inspiration; Shaw is credited for originating finger-painting as an artistic medium.
[4] Sampson’s work often delves into the themes of motherhood and the power of storytelling.
[4] She uses a variety of materials including papers, pencils, water-soluble paints and inks, leather, letterpress printing, and linen thread.
[4][1] Sampson's work has been exhibited in more than 50 venues since 1983, including locations in Germany,[5] Canada,[6] Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago,[7] New York, Washington and New Mexico.
[8] Her work has been shown extensively in galleries specializing in book arts venues including Agnes (gallery), Center For Book Arts,[9] The Newberry Library, R. R. Donnelley Gallery, Sarah Moody Gallery, University of Alabama, University of Chicago, Birmingham Public Library, Wells Book Art Center, University of North Alabama and Syracuse University among many others.
Sampson's work was included in UPsouth which traveled to several venues across Birmingham, including Space One Eleven, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Visual Arts Gallery, and Agnes.
[10] It showed the work of artists Emma Amos and Willie Birch and writer bell hooks, as well as Ann Benton, Priscilla Hancock Cooper, Karen Graffeo, Janice Kluge, Lee Isaacs, J. M. Walker and Marie Weaver.
[11] The exhibition was funded through the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts.
She was included in ABeCedarium: An Exhibit of Alphabet Books, juried by noteworthy peers William Drendel, book artist and Guild of Book Workers member; Paul Gehl of the Newberry Library and ABC Books Then curator; and Pam Spitzmueller, book artist and conservator at Harvard University.
Sampson's work was exhibited alongside Emily Martin, Lucas Samaras, Claire Jeanine Satin, and Christopher McAfee.
[13] In 2010, Sampson was selected to be part of A Reader's Art, curated by Jon Coffelt for Susan Hensel Gallery in Minneapolis, MN.
This was a 10-year survey of artist's books including works by Pinky Bass, Janice Kluge, Joan Lyons, Qi peng, Luce, Beatrice Coron, Buzz Spector and Sara Garden Armstrong.
OEOCO Press, Ragland, Alabama.
n.d. OEOCO Press, Ragland, Alabama.
OEOCO Press, Ragland, Alabama.
OEOCO Press, Ragland, Alabama.
OEOCO Press, Ragland, Alabama.
[17] Sampson, Mary Ann and Terrence A. Taylor.
Duende Press, Dolomite, Alabama.
Mixed media on paper, accordion structure in cardboard box, 3.5 x 2.75 in.
Mona Lisa in the Heart of Dixie Lounge, 1999.
(Description of “Mona Lisa in the Heart of Dixie Lounge”) Sampson, Mary Ann.
[30] Sampson, Mary Ann and Dorothy Fields.
Mixed media on paper, accordion structure, 3.25 x 6.25 in.
[33] Sampson, Mary Ann and Sue Brannan Walker.
[34] Sampson, Mary Ann and Sue Brannan Walker.
OEOCO Press, Ragland, Alabama.