A Letter From Teaching Artist Lacey Johnson

Each of us has untold stories that color the pages of our lives. Samedi Djeimguero’s pages, both in life and art, are full of vibrancy. Spectrums of color populate the margins of his popular paintings and oil pastels. There, one can feel fear, loneliness, life, light – and even HEAVEN.?

Samedi’s artmaking process is fervent; his work is a representation of who he is and what he feels. Bright color blocking is the central focus of his work, which often plays with visual structure. Recently, Samedi’s sculptural work has used found materials like jewelry and home decor to build elaborate multi-dimensional shrines. Samedi also adorns himself in bright lively colors, flashy jewelry, and eye-catching footwear.?

Samedi is a quiet person, but his art speaks volumes. Through joy and pain, he sheds light on the human condition and encourages his viewers to seek goodness, and even seek god. Working with Samedi feels like taking a journey into his subconscious. As his Teaching Artist, I find myself beginning to see the world the way Samedi paints it – full of brightness.

“If I am good, they understand. If I am bad, they understand,” Samedi often tells me emphatically. “I want people [to be happy], so good. So I am looking … to have that bond.” Samedi expresses that his art brings him “life" and that his work shows the world he is a “good person." He hopes that viewers of his work see who he truly is, and become inspired to be good people too.

To understand Samedi’s perspective, it helps to know his story. Samedi immigrated to the United States in 2012, as a refugee of the ongoing civil war in the Central African Republic. As young people orphaned by war, Samedi and his adopted brother were brought to San Francisco. Despite being in the United States for years and making an effort to build a livelihood, language barriers, low wages, and disability barred the brothers from being able to support themselves in San Francisco. Because of these barriers and other complexities, Samedi’s brother is now houseless in the city. Samedi often says that losing closeness with his brother has left him feeling deeply alone.

Loneliness is a definitive characteristic of Samedi’s artistic inspiration. One thing that brings him out of this difficult place is time at Creativity Explored.?In many ways, Samedi’s art acts as a respite. When he enters the studio, his world can Become Life Like Golden.

Samedi’s most recent exhibition, the aforementioned HEAVEN, was held in September at Hot House Gallery in 4 Star Theater. The exhibition’s reception was nothing short of a joyful celebration. Samedi met dozens of supporters who sold out an entire collection of wearables and marveled over other creations.

HEAVEN showcased a body of sustainable work started during Samedi’s time as a resident at the Recology Artist in Residence program. The show included three seasons of work made with recycled materials. As a fellow artist, I feel Samedi’s current focus on sustainability is an embodiment of his artistic nature. What is significant about it, even beyond the materials, is a spirit of using whatever is around you to make art. It's about being moved intuitively to recreate the world.

View Samedi’s incredible work in the landmark exhibition Into the Brightness at the Oakland Museum of California on display until January 28, 2024, and check out his available work on our website now.

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In gratitude,

Lacey Johnson

Teaching Artist