The painting takes Sami back to life
Guitarist with tours in Europe. addict, prisoner, homeless and now artist!
- I'm doing everything to try and find life again, says Sami "Sampa" Nerberg
38 year old Sami Nerberg is now showing 51 of his paintings in a room in the lodge (not sure about this translation, not quite right but the best I could come up with) in Finspång. Samis life is a quite odd story.
During the 90's he was guitarist in one of Swedens biggest death metal-bands, Edge of Sanity, and did several tours in Europe.
- Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Schwitzerland and Slovenia is some of the countrys we visited. There weren't any huge places we played. Rather clubs with around 500 - 1000 people in the audience. It was often sold out, says Sami.
Albums was also released in Japan and the group were interviewd by metal magazines from South America. The latest compilation album with Edge of Sanity was released in 2006.
- Even when I was in Canada in 1991 I could find our albums, says Sami with a smile.
After the group disbanded in the late 90's Sami started to abuse alcohol and drugs.
- A real low-point in my life. Amphetamine became my thing. It ruined my head completely and in the end I couldn't complete anything.
Samis life became a never-ending hunt for money and drugs through many housebreakings. Since 1999 he's been homeless, living with friends, on parkbenches and in entrances.
- The best thing was being high. Then I didn't have to feel how I really felt, Sami says openheartedly.
All in all he's been four years at the institutions in Skänninge, Västervik and Nyköping.
- I think I've gone to prison eleven times all in all. Finally I liked it. I didn't take drugs there and I got routines in my life. I could workout, work and have a more normal life then I had outside of prison. In prison I found peace of mind. If I wouldn't have had these periods in prison I would've probably drugged myself to death, says Sami.
2003 he began to paint in prison.
- The painting became a sort of therapy. It helped me a lot. And workingout at the gym. I go there almoes every day.
Since two years back, when he decided to become completely clean, Sami lives at the lodge in Finspång. Recently he also got an apartment of his own.
- It feels great. Even I want to live a normal life. It's enough now, the only thing I want is to find life again, Sami says and looks around among his paintings.
Apart from painting he also writes poems and short stories.
- Everything I do becomes a poisong, says Sami.
A far more healthier poison then the drugs that controlled Sami Nerbergs life before.
. Keep on rocking Sami!
