Fjords Review - Art Reviews - Unbound Perspectives

Unbound Perspectives
September 26-October 17, 2020

October 20, 2020

Unbound Perspectives celebrates the countless ways a single subject can be interpreted and appreciated through photography, painting and digital illustration. Using natural and constructed materials, each piece investigates themes of nature and abstraction informed by scale and viewpoint. On view at Agora Gallery from September 26 - October 17th, the exhibition features work by William Atkinson, Jerry Anderson, Xiao daCunha, Jodi DeCrenza, Monica Gloviczki, David Lionheart, Rogielo Cabadas Lopez, Belle Roth and Sigrid Thaler.

William Atkinson: June, 2019 - Mixed Media on Canvas 30x24

Exhibition Feature: William Atkinson

William Atkinson
“I have been creating for over ten years with my work ranging from fine art to street art, including public installations and events. Expressionism, re-contextualization of imagery and inclusion of text are used to create public discourse about how we, as society and individuals, process information and make decisions.

William Atkinson: Referential Treatment, 2019 Mixed Media on Canvas 48x30

I first exhibited my work publicly on the streets of Los Angeles. As I progressed into fine art, I wanted to keep true to this initial form of expression. My first gallery exhibitions incorporated found objects with imagery rooted in street art. My current work has evolved into fine art while maintaining a connection to my earlier work. Street art forced me to create in a single expressive moment and I continue this practice in my current studio work, making large scale compositions in one session. While many artists create one work over days or months, I do not revisit any of my pieces once the initial emotion has passed, ensuring that I capture the energy of that single expressive moment. I work across multiple mediums with a consistent tone and voice echoing my early artistic roots.”

William Atkinson: Nature vs Nurture #4, 2018 Mixed Media & Collage on Board 20x16

Where you're based:
I am currently based in Dallas, TX. I have lived and worked in both Los Angeles and New York.

How did you find yourself in the arts - or how did the arts find you?
The arts have always been a constant in my life. My foray into the visual arts began with street art and graffiti. The lure of a public discourse between my artwork and the city drew me to these artistic expressions. As I progressed in my artistic expression, I found the challenge and refinement of fine art appealing but always keep an aspect of my roots in each piece.

William Atkinson: Nature vs Nurture #9, 2018 Mixed Media & Collage on Board 20x16

Who has been a big influence to you in your career?
My wife. Also Franz Kline, Dash Snow, and Jack Kerouac.

When you hit a creative block, how do you move forward?
I have a unique process where this is less of an issue than one may think. In order to stay true to my roots in street art and graffiti, I create each piece in a single moment of artistic expression with no editing after completion. To work in this manner requires tremendous mental preparation that starts when I am inspired by a word, phrase, or image I encounter. This inspiration becomes a driving force and when I step into the studio I am prepared to execute a piece.

William Atkinson: Idle Worship, 2018 Mixed Media & Collage on Board 18x12

How do you define success?
Having people connect with my work in a meaningful way.

What legacy do you hope your work creates / What message do you hope it communicates?
Legacy is a word or concept I am not yet prepared to discuss in relation to my artwork. Much of my artwork focuses on how we, as an individual or society, make decisions. Every piece of artwork has an energy contained within it and I want to ensure my pieces have an authentic capture of the creative moment.

William Atkinson: Through Fruition, 2018 Mixed Media & Collage on Board 24x20