William Downs Adventures 2/3
DETAILS
July 29, 2020
by William Downs
This animation is the second in a series of three works by William Downs for the Virtual Arts Series. The series is curated by Floyd Hall.
Artist Statement:
This animation feels very close to my wall drawings in the way white walls are a void that holds my bold and Black lines. The approach for this animation was in the same manner: start with the landscape then bring in the gestures with the Black spirits lurking. Now the viewer can see them move across the surface.
Making this animation was a great feat for me as an art maker of 30 years—a new medium to break and explore. David Hockney was a nice influence to carry into the studio for this work. He created an entire body of work with his iPad, so that was a great help and created a new sense of exploration for making more work like this. Thank you for opening me up to the challenge!
Floyd Hall curatorial statement:
There’s a depth and openness to William Downs’ work that challenges the viewer’s notions of reality and personal assumptions. You bring your own ideas to the work, and then experience the space to question those ideas. I’m excited to connect with William as he further incorporates video into his practice.
About the Artist
Born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, William Downs works in a range of mediums, but focuses primarily on drawing. He received a Multidisciplinary M.F.A .from the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore and a B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the Atlanta College of Art and Design. Downs taught Foundation Drawing at the Maryland Institute College of Art from 2002 through 2010. He taught Advanced Drawing at Parsons The New School for Design, Foundation Drawing at The Cooper Union and Tulane University.
His work has been presented at numerous venues in the United States and abroad. Downs was represented by Moti Haasn Gallery 2007—2009, Slag Gallery 2009—2010, both New York Galleries and Parker Jones Gallery in LA 2009—2010. His work was part of “Monster Drawing” at the High Museum of Art, and “On Paper” at Field Work Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA. He was recently included in a group exhibition “Art AIDS America” at The Zuckerman Museum of Art in Kennesaw. Downs is currently a Drawing and Painting Lecturer at Georgia State University.
“I want my work to speak the truth. With this, I find pleasure in admiring and studying human behavior. Drawing while traveling, from everyday life, and from dreams, keeping a visual record of the interactions I observe between others and within my own psychology.
By using the figure as a foundation I build bodies and landscapes with lines and layering of lines. The line is one of the most elemental forms of mark making: it is singular, yet serves to be manipulated and layered to create something more infinite than itself. This gives me the ability to mix formal and surreal elements, which are united on the surface of my drawings.”
