Artworks

Sam Doyle (1906-1985)

Sam Doyle’s artistic talent was recognized at a very young age, while he was attending the Saint Helena Island Penn School for newly liberated slaves and their families. However, despite encouragement to leave the island of his birth to study art, Doyle remained on Saint Helena, working and painting on found materials. 

Following his retirement in the late 1960s, Doyle devoted himself entirely to painting. He soon became recognized for his painted representations of Gullah culture, his community in Saint Helena, and famous figures like Ray Charles. Over time, Doyle created a significant oeuvre of works including two series: “First” (achievement) and “Penn” (school.) Infused in each of his pieces is a deep commitment to his Gullah community and language, as well as African American history at large. His work has been collected by several prominent figures including the late Jean-Michel Basquiat, and is housed in several prominent institutions.