American Bison

Product Description

American Bison (Bison Bison) by Nana Williams

Watercolor, 12″ x 16″, 17.5″ x 13.5″ x 1″ with frame

Current Exhibition at Flower Pepper Gallery: Handle with Care, A Solo Show by Nana Williams from March 3rd to April 5th, 2018

Previous Exhibitions at Flower Pepper Gallery:
- Melody – 1st Online Art Exhibition, Launches on Cyber Monday 2017
- Summer Mood: A Cash & Carry Exhibition from July 1st to 26th, 2017
- Wild Heart from February 4th – March 6th, 2017
- 5th Year Anniversary Show from December 10th to 27th, 2016
- Here Comes Summer from June 4th to July 5th, 2016
- Cash And Carry
- Cash And Carry
- Special Window Installations by Yetis And Friends

Artist Biography:
Nana Williams was born in Vienna, Austria. She is a self-taught artist, who studied Photography at “die Graphische” in Vienna and received her diploma in 2012. She mostly works in the mediums of watercolor, gouache and ink, but is also active in the fields of sculpture and soft sculpture. She has shown her work across the United States and Europe and has collaborated with clothing companies, small businesses and magazines. For five years she worked together with her husband at their own business “Yetis and Friends”, before retiring from it to focus on her art and illustration full time.

As of 2014 she found a nest in Pasadena, California, where she doodles cats and other creatures in her home sweet home.

Education:
Die Graphische (Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt), Vienna, Austria
Diploma in Photography in 2012

Press Release of Handle with Care, A Solo Show by Nana Williams:
On Saturday, March 3rd, Flower Pepper Gallery is pleased to present, Handle with Care, A Solo Show by Nana Williams. With nature as a great source of inspiration, Nana Williams seeks to highlight some of the planet’s most vulnerable species. “The pieces I’ve created all focus on endangered species with an emphasis on (illegal) wildlife trade and human destruction. I chose some of the most endangered animals in the world to underline the severity of the situation.” However, while many artists choose to portray endangered species, few do so with such care and devotion with artwork that is both immensely powerful and completely fragile at the same time.

Her unique style lends itself to this paradox as bold and sometimes intimidating creatures are transformed with subtle hues and ethereal textures. “The porcelain skin is to show the fragility and value of these species and the nature around them.” In her piece, Ceratotherium Simum Cottoni, we see the head of a beautiful Northern White Rhinoceros rendered as delicate porcelain with traditional cobalt blue florals. Its two stunning horns are being separated and lifted from its body, which highlights a narrative that we unfortunately know too well. This once powerful creature is helpless to the forces that prey on it. This painting is hauntingly beautiful and it carries an ominous truth that breeds empathy from those who see it.

Likewise in Panthera Tigris, a majestic tiger lays in front of a line of tiger bones, which are often harvested from it for “medicinal” properties with no scientific evidence. As its stripes waft up into smoke, it looks us in the eyes and we are forced to ask the question of what this beautiful creature is worth to us. How could it be that its life is less important then the sum of its parts?

In addition to her pieces representing porcelain, she also has completed a series of specimens that are not usually given much thought or sympathy.

“I also have about 10 pieces of various insects which represent specimen collection. All of the insects (plus one arachnid) are endangered because of human influence, and some of them are often found illegally for trade at insect shows and can be sold for thousands of dollars per specimen.”

Rather then portraying these insects simply as specimens to be studied, Nana Williams has given them a seemingly spiritual aura. Emanating light and wafts of ribbon-like smoke, beetles that were once armored and daunting are transformed into gentle aerial beings and appear as delicate as the haze that surrounds them. Endangered moths are given symbology to represent their mystery and presented as sacred guides amongst light and florals. There is an overall elevated sense of worth given to creatures that are normally cast aside and we are confronted with the beauty that would be lost should they be forced to disappear completely.

This exhibition is a thoughtful and meticulous effort to draw attention to those whose very existence is in danger and lack the voice to protect themselves. Nana Williams’ compelling work acts as a much needed reminder. Even the most unique and formidable of creatures are in immense danger and to save them we must be willing to swiftly intervene and humbly Handle with Care.

Feature on Juxtapoz Magazine on December 12th, 2016!

“The Art of Nana Williams: Nana Williams’ work is influenced by folklore, mythology and the occult with a refined undertone of strong feminine energy. Her work features soft washes of watercolor balanced by rich metallics and symbols that accumulate to lend a multi-layered narrative to every artwork. Nana Williams was born in Vienna, Austria. She studied Photography at “die Graphische” in Vienna and received her diploma in 2012. Despite this she mostly works in the medium of painting and drawing, but is also active in the fields of sculpture and arts and crafts. She has shown her work in Europe, the U.S. and Australia. As of 2014 she found a nest in Pasadena, California, where she doodles cats and other creatures in her home.”

Click here to read the full article and see other artworks by Nana.

Artist Website:
https://nanawilliams.com

Click here to read the feature on JUXTAPOZ: “Nana Williams Highlights Endangered Species in Solo Show ‘Handle withe Care’” (March 6th, 2018)

Additional Information