Samantha Mays

Local Contemporary Art Prize 2026 – Finalist

Image courtesy of the artist.

Samantha Mays | Head in the sand | 2025 | sterling silver, 18ct gold, found object (dice), sand from Maroochydore Beach | 12 x 10 x 3cm

This work is a commentary about the divisive polarisation that is infecting the world, with political, social and religious divisions intensifying, a lot of people are not giving enough critical thought to topics but are being swayed by unchecked commentary in biased sites and print-media, with the online algorithms feeding prejudice and misinformation.

These rings reveal various sides, mere glimpses, of dice, conveying that one must ponder the multitude of arguments and options, taking important ethical components, like grace, honesty and kindness, into the equation, reflecting seriously, and acting with the benefit of multitudinous pathways, so as to make a deeply considered decision.

One ring is displayed upside down, its head buried in the sand. It lives in a dark world where no chinks of light can fracture though, where no contrary notions challenge the stubborn status quo of a closed mind… blind-sided.