Michelle Samour is a multidisciplinary artist based in North Bennington, known for her papermaking skills and work that represents her Palestinian heritage. Samour uses papermaking as a medium, combining her interest in the natural world and her background in biology. Her studio showcases sculptures and paintings inspired by the shapes and textures found in nature, incorporating science and human rights themes. Her process involves measures and an understanding of chemistry, drawing inspiration from her family’s interest in the natural world and her French and Palestinian roots. Samour’s art also symbolizes the collision of science, human rights, and curiosity, evident in her series “Borders and Boundaries.” She finds papermaking to be a magical and immersive process, likening it to working with clay, where the end result is unpredictable until the paper is fully dried. Samour’s interest in papermaking began after seeing intricate paper models made by Dard Hunter at MIT as a child, which led to her incorporating it into her artwork. She is also working on a book about papermaking as an art form and the history of artists who have changed perceptions about paper as a substrate. Through her work, Samour shares her unique perspective, challenging traditional notions of paper as a medium for art.
Source: https://vermontcountry.com/2023/10/31/michelle-samour-art/
