Ancient Wisdom, Modern Abstraction
Birmingham-based abstract artist Sam Weeks is back with a mesmerizing series of paintings. This time, she’s diving headfirst into the I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes, which, for those who didn’t grow up obsessing over ancient philosophy, is a Daoist text that basically explains the entire universe in trigrams. Trigrams are ancient symbols representing the dance of yin and yang energy that keeps everything in balance.
Sam has taken these deep, ancient concepts and transformed them into modern, beautiful abstract paintings. Each piece in this series plays with a circle within a square composition. It’s a nod to the simplicity of the Yin-Yang symbol, a reminder that everything is interconnected, inviting viewers to contemplate its symbolic meanings. The circle-in-a-square motif has become a defining element in her work, a signature move that runs through her practice.
Now, let’s talk about Sam’s journey to this moment because, as with all great artists, there’s a story. Over the past 18 months, she has been on an intense creative deep dive, stripping back her work, rethinking composition, and reintroducing herself to her own artistic instincts. While sketching, she kept coming back to the phrase “As above, so below.” Instead of brushing it off as a weird brain glitch, she followed the breadcrumbs and found herself knee-deep in Hermetic Principles, Daoism, and ancient philosophy.
The inspiration was real, she leaned in, and this is where things get even more fascinating. As part of her process, Sam has trained herself to pay attention to the tiniest creative sparks—the things most people ignore or dismiss. She calls this approach “Notice what I notice,” which, honestly, is the kind of mantra we should all be living by. It’s about mindfulness, self-awareness, and staying fully present in her creative practice. You can see this awareness in her work, the way she plays with motifs, how her paintings flow and evolve, and how every piece feels both connected yet completely fresh at the same time.
Through this series, Sam Weeks has done something extraordinary: she’s taken timeless wisdom and made it modern, raw, and deeply personal. These paintings are not just about creating art; they’re about change, balance, and the interconnected nature of existence. So, if you’ve ever wanted a visual reminder that you are part of something bigger or if you just love drop-dead gorgeous artwork, this series is for you.
