Artist Statement
Identity. Whether investigating masculinity, beauty, otherness, inclusion/exclusion, or understanding 'blackness' from a social, historical or political context, identity has been a central theme in my work. On reflection, identity has been a prominent subject due to my own struggle with self-image. Growing up in a post-colonial, globalized Caribbean state where mainstream images of the 'black self' were seldom locally created, there was a void which imported images (usually constructed by non-blacks and regularly negative) naturally filled. This, combined with an early art education which presented a negation/ lack of the black figure in important periods of art history, set the stage for deep rooted ideologies regarding race and identity. As such, through my work I seek to critically engage the stereotypes which inform perceptions of identity, particularly construction of 'blackness'.
My digital collages incorporate images and symbols which when juxtaposed raise questions about our understanding of the black identity. I present, subvert and play with stereotypes in my work to create dialogues surrounding themes of 'blackness'. The work is intentionally, at times, self contradictory, but layered with symbols and allegories which could be read in multiple ways due to the multifaceted discourse of identity. The figure plays a central role in many of my collages as I use these stylized forms as a way to refer to the way in which fantasies and ideals are projected onto the black body.
To create each piece I use a mixture of photographs, computer generated images, as well as, popular based images sourced from the internet and the print media. After sourcing relevant material, I cut, manipulate and re-assemble the images using Adobe Photoshop to compose these digital collages.
Bio
Over the past decade, Ronald Williams has steadily earned a reputation as one of Barbados’ most cutting edge artists. While studying for his BFA in Fine Arts from The Barbados Community College, Williams began experimenting with digital collage which eventually became his medium of choice. Using a flat graphic style and a complex mixture of cultural references, his work can be described as an interrogation of black masculinity in the Caribbean. In his own words; “I present, subvert and play with stereotypes to create dialogues which surround themes of ‘blackness’”.
Williams’ work has generated critical interest and been shown in numerous local, regional and international exhibitions; most recently in the Dakar Biennale, as part of the Dak’Art 2024 program.