Samantha Modder, "Of All the Worlds We Could Have Dreamed"

Buffalo Arts Studio is proud to present “Of All the Worlds We Could Have Dreamed,” a solo exhibition by Tampa-based artist Samantha Modder, on view from August 22 through November 7, 2025. The opening reception will take place Friday, August 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm as part of M&T Fourth Friday at Tri-Main.

Samantha Modder’s work centers the Black imaginary as a creative and liberating force. “Of All the Worlds We Could Have Dreamed” features a powerful series of portraits that resist erasure and reclaim identity through speculative storytelling. Modder’s process combines traditional and digital techniques. She begins with intricate pen drawings, often rendered with an attention that reflects personal rituals of self-care, such as detangling curls. These hand-drawn elements are scanned and reassembled into striking digital collages that borrow from the visual language of comics. In each work, hair is a central motif—a symbol of beauty, rebellion, and connection. It becomes a way to both comfort and confront, challenging imposed standards while celebrating cultural resilience.

For more information about Buffalo Arts Studio, please visit www.buffaloartsstudio.org