Sam Kissajukian (37) is a comedian and visual artist based in Sydney who's been working professionally as a stand-up comedian for over a decade. He's toured globally in the USA, UK, Europe and around Australia.
In 2021, Sam stopped performing due to a 5 month Bipolar manic episode. In this prolonged episode he made 300 large paintings, documenting his mental states daily. In mid 2022, after recovery, diagnosis and treatment, Sam began performing again as well as holding his first solo exhibition.
Since 2022, Sam’s practice uses a ‘two tier approach’ incorporating storytelling techniques mixed with spoken word and comedic examination of his visual art and practice paired with a curated exhibition. Together these represent broad exploration of the artistic process, mental health and its ties to creativity.
Sam’s since held six solo exhibitions. Arts institutions span NSW’s Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Adelaide’s Immersive Light & Art & Brisbane Powerhouse, twice.
Awards
Best Solo Exhibition - Adelaide Fringe 2024 (Paintings of Modernia)
Visual Arts and Design weekly Award - Adelaide Fringe 2024 (Paintings of Modernia)
Best Comedy weekly Award - Adelaide Fringe 2024 (Museum of Modernia)
Mental Health Awareness Award - Adelaide Fringe 2024 (Museum of Modernia)
NZ Touring Award - Melbourne Fringe 2023 (300 Paintings)
Best Comedy Award - Perth Fringe World 2023 (300 Paintings)
Best Comedy Award - Sydney Fringe 2023 (300 Paintings)
Best Comedy Award - Sydney Fringe 2022 (300 Paintings)
Directors Choice Award - Sydney Fringe 2022 (300 Paintings)
Publication reviews
***** - The List UK 2024 (Museum of Modernia)
***** - Glam Adelaide 2024 (Museum of Modernia)
***** - Mindshare 2024 (Museum of Modernia)
***** - Mindshare 2024 (Paintings of Modernia)
***** - FringeFeed 2024 (300 Paintings)
***** - Glam Adelaide 2023 (300 Paintings)
***** - ArtsHub 2023 (300 Paintings)
***** - Mindshare 2023 (300 Paintings)
****1/2 - Fringefeed 2023 (300 Paintings)
**** - The Age 2023 (300 Paintings)
Solo Exhibitions
Summerhall In Vitro Gallery - Edinburgh UK 2024 (Upcoming)
Brisbane Powerhouse Brisbane -Brisbane 2024 (Upcoming)
Immersive Light and Art - Adelaide 2024
Sydney Fringe Side Show Gallery - Sydney 2023
Brisbane Powerhouse Brisbane - Brisbane 2023
Maitland Regional Art Gallery - Maitland 2023
Comedy Lounge - Perth 2022
Group Exhibitions
107 Projects - Sydney 2022
Critic reviews:
Museum of Modernia (Performance with Exhibition)
5 star review - The List UK. Read review.
5 star review - Glam Adelaide 2024. Read review.
5 star review - Mindshare.org 2024. Read review.
300 Paintings (Performance)
5 star review - FringeFeed 2024. Read review.
5 star review - Arts Hub 2023. Read review.
5 star review - Glam Adelaide 2023. Read review.
5 star review - Mindshare.org 2023. Read review.
Paintings of Modernia (Exhibition)
5 star review - Mindshare.org 2023. Read review.
Media Interviews:
SANE Australia, 'People like you' podcast 2024. Listen to interview.
'Young Blood Men's Mental Health' podcast 2024. Listen to interview.
Fest Mag interview. Read article.
