Bruce Samuelson

Bruce Samuelson is a Professor in the Department of Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), where he has been a pivotal faculty member since graduating. He is a key figure in the international contemporary art movement known as Disrupted Realism, which emphasizes abstract tendencies within figurative painting.

His artistic practice centers on the human form, transformed through memory and perception into flowing, ambiguous structures. This approach originated from his early experiences drawing from the back of life-drawing classes, leading him to rely on recollection rather than direct sight. His work seeks beauty and order within visual chaos.

Bruce Samuelson has exhibited in over thirty solo exhibitions in New York and Pennsylvania and his works are held in prominent collections including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PAFA, the Woodmere Art Museum, and the Philbrook Museum of Art.

Selected Awards:

• Distinguished Pennsylvania Artist Award

Samuelson is actively involved in mentoring artists through PAFA’s Continuing Education programs, including co-leading group critique sessions that support emerging and established artists in navigating creative challenges. These workshops emphasize non-judgmental feedback and the transformation of doubt into creative exploration.

He plays a significant role in both graduate and continuing education at PAFA, contributing to programs such as the PAFA-Penn BFA and Post-Baccalaureate studies. His influence extends through his teaching, artistic practice, and leadership in contemporary figurative art.