Sam Jinks

Sam Jinks, born in Bendigo in 1973, is one of Australia’s most prominent hyperrealist artists working in sculpture. His rise to prominence paralleled the late-twentieth century resurgence of model making, embodied in the practices of Australian artists Patricia Piccinini, Ricky Swallow and Ron Mueck. Jinks had no formal art training, though he was encouraged by his mother, a painter, and consequently he developed his skills at life-drawing, an invaluable foundation for his early work as an illustrator and later career as a figurative sculptor. Jinks’ interest in film led him to work manufacturing silicone and latex props and models at studios JMB FX and MEG, both specialising in prosthetic make-up effects for the film and television industry. Jinks was later able to apply the technical knowledge acquired at this time to his work fabricating art models, initially for Patricia Piccinini while working as her technical assistant in the 1990s, and then in his independent practice.