Sam Kirkwood Jr.(Samus Starbody) 

Studio MFA, ‘25

Coalition

“Synthesizing various interests and harnessing family techniques, my work seeks to excavate the cosmic nuances of BlaQ masculinity from my unique social location.” 

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 Cotillon details the journey of Samus Starbody as he journeys from spectator to spectacle. Consisting of performance, film, installation, and artifacts, this suite reveals both the inner and outer energies at play in his pilgrimage. This iteration of the work invites viewers into a spiritual procession; a reminder that when we do arrive, we have everything we need. 

About Artist

Sam Kirkwood (Samus Starbody)

Studio MFA, ‘25

Sam Kirkwood Jr. (he/him), artistically known as Samus Starbody, was born to create. Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, his multidisciplinary practice includes writing, painting and mixed media, installation, and performance. He received his BS in Business Administration with a Minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois - Chicago. Post graduation, he served in various leadership roles in retail, art education, and dance. Sam graduated from Columbia College Chicago’s School of Visual Arts with an MFA in 2025 as a distinguished Albert P. Weisman Award recipient, as well as an Aiko Nakane and Dwight W. Follett Fellow. He looks forward to pursuing a PhD in an arts related field. 

Website: Starbodyarts.com 

Instagram: @samusstarbody

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