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Aubrey Williams Art

Guyanese, 1926-1990

Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. Williams has recently been reassessed by the Tate and Manchester Art Galleries and been the subject of television documentaries. He was best known for his large, oil-on-canvas paintings, which combine elements of abstract expressionism with forms, images and symbols inspired by the pre-Columbian art of indigenous peoples of the Americas. Born in Georgetown in British Guiana (now Guyana), Williams began drawing and painting at an early age. He received informal art tutoring from the age of three and joined the Working Peoples' Art Class at the age of 12. After training as an agronomist, he worked as an Agricultural Field Officer for eight years, initially on the sugar plantations of the East Coast and later in the North-West region of the country - an area inhabited primarily by the indigenous Warao people. His time among the Warao had a dramatic impact on his artistic approach and initiated the complex obsession with pre-Columbian arts and cultures that ran throughout his artistic career. Shortly after he qualified as an Agricultural Officer, Williams contacted E. R. Burrowes and returned to the Working People's Art Class, but this time as a teacher and organizer. Together they extended the WPAC beyond central Georgetown by setting up auxiliary classes throughout the East Coast. Williams himself established new classes in the agricultural regions in which he was working, and would often lead classes when Burrowes was unavailable. The classes were held at least twice weekly. Williams left Guyana at the height of the Independence Movement in 1952 and moved to the United Kingdom. Following his first exhibition in London in 1954, he became an increasingly significant figure in the post-war British avant-garde art scene, particularly through his association with Denis Bowen's New Vision Centre Gallery. In 1966, he came together with a group of London-based Caribbean artists and intellectuals to found the Caribbean Artists Movement, which served as a dynamic hub of cultural events and activity until its dissolution in 1972. From 1970 onward, Williams worked in studios in Jamaica and Florida as well as the UK. It was during this period that he produced three of his most well-known series of paintings, Shostakovich, The Olmec Maya and Now and Cosmos. In 1989, paintings by Williams were included in an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery entitled The Other Story, which focused on the work of African and Asian artists in post-World War II Britain. This was the first time that his work was exhibited in a mainstream public art gallery in the UK. and featured his Cosmos series. In the words of Geoffrey MacLean, "It showed the vast span of Williams's spiritual and intellectual development, from the birds of Guyana and the environment of his childhood, through the memory of his Amerindian heritage, culminating in an appreciation of universal expression through music and spiritual realization through the cosmos." Williams died in London on 17 April 1990, aged 63.

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Artist: Aubrey Williams
Ural Owl 1975 - Expressionist art animal watercolour gouache bird painting
Ural Owl 1975 - Expressionist art animal watercolour gouache bird painting

Ural Owl 1975 - Expressionist art animal watercolour gouache bird painting

By Aubrey Williams

Located in Hagley, England

This stunning vibrant animal painting is by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. It is a watercolour/gouache painting of an Ural Owl and painted in 1975. Williams has recently been reas...

Category

1970s Expressionist Aubrey Williams Art

Materials

Watercolor

Pelican 1974 - Expressionist animal art watercolour/gouache bird painting
Pelican 1974 - Expressionist animal art watercolour/gouache bird painting

Pelican 1974 - Expressionist animal art watercolour/gouache bird painting

By Aubrey Williams

Located in Hagley, England

This beautiful large vibrant animal painting is by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. It is a watercolour/gouache painting of a magnificent Pelican and painted in 1974. Williams has r...

Category

1970s Expressionist Aubrey Williams Art

Materials

Watercolor

“Blue Macaw, 1975” by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese Tropical Bird Gouache Signed
“Blue Macaw, 1975” by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese Tropical Bird Gouache Signed

“Blue Macaw, 1975” by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese Tropical Bird Gouache Signed

By Aubrey Williams

Located in Yardley, PA

This striking gouache captures Williams’s lifelong fascination with the natural world, filtered through his expressive modernist sensibility. The bird emerges from a hazy gray field,...

Category

1970s Expressionist Aubrey Williams Art

Materials

Paper, Gouache

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Higher Life
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Bright TohHigher Life, 2023

$2,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 39.4 in W 31.5 in D 1 in

Higher Life

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Bright Toh's creative vision is driven by a deep-rooted appreciation for his African heritage and a desire to pay homage to the intrinsic ties between the people of Africa and their natural surroundings. "Higher Life" stands as a testament to the exquisite synergy that exists between man and wildlife, shedding light on the harmonious relationship they share within their common ecosystem. The central figure in the artwork, a man adorned with the head of a bird, serves as a powerful representation of the mystical connection between humans and nature. The bird, with its freedom to soar through the skies, symbolizes the aspirations of the African people to rise above challenges and embrace a higher state of being. This metamorphosis of man into a bird-like form underscores the spiritual journey of self-discovery and cultural understanding that lies at the heart of African traditions. Toh's meticulous attention to detail and masterful use of colors breathe life into the canvas. The vibrant hues mimic the rich landscapes of Africa, from the lush greenery of the savannahs to the striking plumage of its avian inhabitants. Through a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary artistic techniques, Toh weaves together a tapestry that celebrates the convergence of African heritage and its intertwined relationship with wildlife. The concept of totems holds immense significance in various African cultures, where ancestral reverence is deeply ingrained. In "Higher Life," the man's bird head serves as a totemic representation of his connection to his ancestors, carrying with it the wisdom and experiences of those who came before him. The totem acts as a guiding force, leading the man on a journey of self-discovery and connection to his roots. As viewers immerse themselves in "Higher Life," they are invited to contemplate the timeless relationship between man and nature. Toh's artwork urges us to recognize the importance of preserving our shared environment and the imperative role of cultural heritage in shaping our identities. In a world marked by rapid urbanization and detachment from nature, "Higher Life" serves as a poignant reminder of the intrinsic bond between humanity and the animal kingdom. Bright Toh's artistic prowess in "Higher Life" transcends cultural boundaries, beckoning audiences from all corners of the globe to appreciate the profound unity between humans and wildlife. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of African traditions and an encouragement to embrace our roots as an essential part of who we are. In conclusion, "Higher Life" is not just a stunning work of art; it is an exploration of our place in the world and the intricate ties that bind us with our environment and cultural heritage. Through the captivating portrayal of a man with a bird...

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Aubrey Williams art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Aubrey Williams art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Aubrey Williams in paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1970s and is mostly associated with the Expressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Aubrey Williams art, so small editions measuring 18 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Merton Clivette, Pierre Ambrogiani, and Ilya Shenker. Aubrey Williams art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,033 and tops out at $7,645, while the average work can sell for $5,033.

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