25/26 Season Artist Samantha Wall
For our 61st season, local artist Samantha Wall has brought the theme of LOVE THROUGH ADVERSITY to life with her evocative imagery.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Samantha Yun Wall immigrated to the United States as a child and comes from a multiracial background. Operating from within this framework, her artwork embodies the experience of navigating transcultural identity. Wall’s art is characterized by her unique approach to traditional techniques combined with a contemporary vernacular that reflects her understanding of the world.
Samantha’s work has been featured in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and on the cover of the Sleater-Kinney album Path of Wellness. She has exhibited globally at galleries and museums including the Frye Art Museum in Seattle and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Featured in the recent Black Artists of Oregon exhibit at Portland Art Museum, her work is now in their permanent collection. Samantha will unveil her most extensive solo exhibition to date at the Seattle Art Museum in 2026.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Building upon the success of our 60th anniversary collaboration with illustrator Lisa Congdon, Portland Opera is excited to continue forming annual partnerships with Portland-based artists. These wonderful reciprocal relationships enhance both the artist’s and the opera’s oeuvres, and most importantly contribute to the revitalization of our city and region’s fine and performing arts landscape.
“What I have enjoyed most about working on this project with Portland Opera,” says Samantha Wall, “is the opportunity to collaborate. The exchange of ideas, emotions, and engaging conversations infused new energy and optimism into my studio practice—a much-needed lifeline during a time of chaos and despair. Discovering each opera’s unique visual and emotional landscape felt like stepping into new worlds and bringing those spaces to life through my artwork.”
Keep an eye out for these powerful images in signage all around the region, and as a limited edition of signed and numbered fine art prints that will be available for purchase as part of Portland Opera’s merchandise offering.