Kelly Williams
My work as a contemporary multi-media artist ranges from expressive figurative work exploring the dichotomy of narrative identities, emotional expressions and sensuality to painting large scale, deeply layered encaustic abstracts with energetic mark making, and symbolic mapping to capture psychological complexities or social issues.
The physical process of layering and burning, burying and excavating acts as a timeline of sorts-an artifact of an experience or an articulation of an emotion. The act of creating the work can be as cathartic as the meanings attached to the marks and symbols used to create this private language. The use of figurative/face imagery overlaid on the textured and marred surfaces reveals internal disturbances and complexities of the human experience.
In my 'Erotic Saint' series, I navigate the complex identity of what it means to be feminine, weaving a narrative that challenges conventional views of womanhood. This series is both a witty expression and a critical commentary, examining the fluctuating standards of beauty, morality, and societal expectations. It specifically confronts the contrasting images of sanctity and sensuality in female identity, highlighting the often unrealistic and unattainable ideals imposed on women. Through the fusion of vintage erotic imagery with diverse and often conflicting symbols and archetypes I play with the layers of the feminine ideal, challenging the societal tendency to compartmentalize women into binary archetypes like the 'sainted whore.'
Address: 7621 N Washburne Ave Portland OR 97217
Encaustic|Mixed Media|Oil|Painting
Community: N Portland
Studio Number: 12
Email: kelly@kellywilliamsart.com
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