2024, 9 ft x 8 ft x 4 ft , Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
8 minute sequenced projected animation over ceramic objects
2024, 12ft x 9ft x 5ft, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Porcelain, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, High-fire, Low-fire, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Non-ceramic, Unglazed
15 minute sequenced projected animation over installed ceramics
2024, 43 in x 50 in x 5in , Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
2023, 5.5 ft x 3 ft x 3.5ft, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
2023, 5.5ft x 4.5ft x 3ft, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
2023, 40 in x 13 in x 8.5 in, Media: Mixed Media, Porcelain, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
Three sculptures of aster flowers, each with their own specific hand-made booklet, presented as a trilogy
2023, 14in x 8.5in x 6in, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed
2023, 10.5in x 8in x 6.5in, Media: Porcelain, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Overglaze Enameling
2023, 17 in x 15 in x 9.5in, Media: Porcelain, Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Mid-range, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Oxide, Unglazed
2024, 26in x 9in x 14in, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
Artist Statement
My studio practice is concerned with the intersection of figure, vessel, and botanical. These elements are combined to create an auto-biographical fantasy world informed by Queer Ecology to reimagine relationships between human and other-than-human. Queer Ecology is an important practice that emphasizes constructing an environment that acknowledges the harm to the environment and renvisions an ecologically diverse and beneficial landscape for all beings. Through worldbuilding I shape my belonging to this artificial environment which encourages acceptance, growth, decay, abundance, and death of the materials I use. This imagining engages the childlike potential of arrangement pushing aside standard normative ideas.
I begin with drawings translating them into ceramic objects, installation spaces, stop-motion sequences, and hand drawn animations. While drawing engages with a belief in fantasy, clay deals with the consequences of reality. With the use of digital programs, I emphasize the imperfections in the physical work and render sequenced narratives that are projected or installed with the existing objects to create a colluding third space that expands the eco-fantasy. The elements in my work are a part of a transformative metaphorical ecology, which include the viewer and the artist.
Bio
Christopher Williams (he/they) is a multi-layered visual artist currently residing in Chicago, IL. Christopher earned his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Ceramics. He earned his BFA in Ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute, and finished a two-year Post-Baccalaureate at the University of Arkansas. Christopher has spent time studying traditional fresco techniques and classical painting in Florence, Italy which is directly referenced in the work he makes. Christopher has spent time in residencies across the United States and informs his practice by spaces he creates. He is a story-teller through colorful handbuilt ceramics, drawing, installation, performance, video and hand-drawn animation.