ARTIST STATEMENT
This work explores the relationships and emotions inherent in cultural memory, fragments, remnants and markings. “Invincible” pays homage to the strength and invisible spiritual connection of Black women; the invincible strength and courage to move through our uniquely American experience and continue to rise. My work overlaps my background in design and visual communications and fine art. The intent of this work is to assemble a visual story of forgotten narratives, power and culture. Centered in exploring the beauty and meaning of symbols and patterns while recreating and reconstructing a visual narrative that celebrates and explores a lost connection to my ancestry, is at the heart of my work. A central element of my creative process is music. Jazz music and hip hop has the greatest influence on my work. I believe it is the heart of the Black experience and I have a deep connection to the avant-garde and improvisational approach. The flowing rhythms invite me to connect to and express the African spirit.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Angela S. Williams is Director of Design and Creative Services for the acclaimed Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois. Spanning a broad spectrum, Angela’s work includes an award-winning identity program for the Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze. In 2011, of particular note are her “Green Revolution” exhibition with the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the presentations of her “Greening Through Digital Exhibitions” at the 2011 conferences of both the American Association of Museums and the American Association of Children’s Museums. Augmenting her professional practice, Angela is also active in the art and design community.
She is a current member of the Evanston Arts Council. She was a founding member/co-chair of the Chicago Chapter of the Organization of Black Designers and Project Osmosis, the non-profit educational and mentoring initiative established to further design education for minority youth. An honoree among The Chicago Defender’s “50 Women of Excellence,” she also served as a featured panelist in the University of Illinois forum “African American Designers: The Chicago Experience Then and Now.” A fine artist of works in mixed media, Angela exhibits in Chicago-area juried art show galleries. She received a BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago with a concentration in Visual Communications.
Her fine art work is in the permanent collection of the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston, Illinois and in the homes of many art collectors and enthusiasts. A native of St. Louis, Missouri and resident of Evanston, IL
© Angela S. Williams