CASE STUDY

Sam Gold

Sam Gold graduated from University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Contemporary Art in 2018.

Sam is a queer, non-binary South Australian artist working on Kaurna Yarta. They began focusing on ceramics in 2016, drawing on backgrounds in transpersonal art therapy, furniture design, and contemporary art. Sam’s multidisciplinary practice explores the intersections of inner and outer landscapes, celebrating queer and non-binary identities while challenging oppressive narratives.

Their work combines hand building, wheel throwing, and painterly glazing to evoke fluidity, intimacy, and interconnectedness. Focused on the body’s poetics and sensuality, Sam navigates boundaries between self, material, and environment. Highly awarded and represented by Hugo Michell Gallery, Gold has exhibited extensively, including Primavera: Young Australian Artists at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

SAM GOLD | MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST. PHOTO: CONNOR PATTERSON

The stepping stones that Helpmann Academy provides for emerging artists are incredibly important... because the creative landscape is at times overwhelming to navigate. So, to step out of tertiary study and be able to land with two feet on the ground and take opportunities that elevate oneself in a supportive framework by Helpmann – well there is nothing else quite like it.

Sam Gold, Creative Investment Fellowship 2021 recipient.

CAREER PROGRESSION & HELPMANN SUPPORT

2017
Attends Helpmann Seminar Series – #1 Contracts & #2 Arts Residencies
Receives friends of SASA Award, University of South Australia

2018
2018
Receives a group grant from Helpmann Academy to participate in the Australian Ceramic Triennial conference Value: $5,000 (supported shared travel and attendance costs for the group)
2018
Attends Helpmann Insights from Post Graduate Artists Seminar
Receives Merit Award for Academic Excellence, University of South Australia

2019
2018
Attends Helpmann Resilience and Wellbeing Seminar
Receives an Australia Council Grant for a new body of work

2020
2018
Attends Helpmann Academy Write on the Money Workshop
2018
Attends Helpmann Visual Arts Industry Day Seminar
Awarded one of only five places in the annual Primavera 2021: Young Australian Artists showcase at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

2021
2019
Exhibits as part of the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition
Joins Hugo Michell Gallery

2021
2019
Receives the top Undergraduate Award for Excellence supported by Roger and Helen Salkeld and The JamFactory Award at the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition Value: $7,500 & $5,000
Presents solo exhibition We from a Moonlight swim at Hugo Michell Gallery

2022
2019
Receives 12-month Helpmann Academy George Street Studios Residency Value: $6,000
Presents solo exhibition Word we Devour at Amanda Love International Art Consultancy

2023
2019
Receives a Grant from Helpmann Academy to develop work for Craft ACT Value: $3,400
Receives an Arts SA Professional Development Grant

2024
2019
Attends Helpmann Social Media for Creatives Seminar
Exhibits in Fables & Folklore, CRAFT Victoria

2024
Attends Helpmann Websites for Creatives Seminar
Presents solo exhibition The Marrow of a Swollen River at Hugo Michell Gallery

2024
2021
Receives a Creative Investment Fellowship from Helpmann Academy to support the development of work for exhibition at MCA Value: $10,000
Wins the Wollongong Art Prize, Wollongong Regional Art Gallery

2025
Selected as finalist for presentation in the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award Exhibition, Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW

2025
Solo exhibition, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide

2025
$40K +

value in support and
opportunities from
Helpmann Academy

2017
Attends Helpmann Seminar Series – #1 Contracts & #2 Arts Residencies
2018
Receives friends of SASA Award, University of South Australia
2018
Receives a group grant from Helpmann Academy to participate in the Australian Ceramic Triennial conference Value: $5,000 (supported shared travel and attendance costs for the group)
2018
Attends Helpmann Insights from Post Graduate Artists Seminar
2018
Attends Helpmann Resilience and Wellbeing Seminar
2018
Attends Helpmann Academy Write on the Money Workshop
2018
Attends Helpmann Visual Arts Industry Day Seminar
2019
Receives Merit Award for Academic Excellence, University of South Australia
2019
Exhibits as part of the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition
2019
Receives the top Undergraduate Award for Excellence supported by Roger and Helen Salkeld and The JamFactory Award at the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition Value: $7,500 & $5,000
2019
Receives 12-month Helpmann Academy George Street Studios Residency Value: $6,000
2019
Receives a Grant from Helpmann Academy to develop work for Craft ACT Value: $3,400
2019
Attends Helpmann Social Media for Creatives Seminar
2020
Receives an Australia Council Grant for a new body of work
2021
Awarded one of only five places in the annual Primavera 2021: Young Australian Artists showcase at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
2021
Joins Hugo Michell Gallery
2021
Receives a Creative Investment Fellowship from Helpmann Academy to support the development of work for exhibition at MCA Value: $10,000
2022
Presents solo exhibition We from a Moonlight swim at Hugo Michell Gallery
2023
Presents solo exhibition Word we Devour at Amanda Love International Art Consultancy
2024
Receives an Arts SA Professional Development Grant
2024
Exhibits in Fables & Folklore, CRAFT Victoria
2024
Presents solo exhibition The Marrow of a Swollen River at Hugo Michell Gallery
2025
Wins the Wollongong Art Prize, Wollongong Regional Art Gallery
2025
Selected as finalist for presentation in the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award Exhibition, Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW
2025
Solo exhibition, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Attends Helpmann Websites for Creatives Seminar
$40K +

value in support and
opportunities from
Helpmann Academy

Sam Gold

$40K +

$40K +

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