RiTUAL. A ceremonial act ~ Rites used in the course of worship ~ The performance of ceremonial acts ~ The prescribed form of conducting the ceremony ~ A method of procedure that is followed without variation ~ performance with gestures, words, and objects, often in a sequestered place.

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Jed Williams

I was born in Philadelphia, USA, in 1975 and grew up in Paris, France; I am a French and American citizen now living in Philadelphia. I graduated from the University of the Arts (BFA in Painting and Drawing, 2000) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Certificate in Painting, 2005), both located in Philadelphia.

I work on my images in different kinds of media: oil paint, acrylic, mixed media. My art is to a large degree informed by modernist painting such as that of Picasso and DeKooning as well as that of many pop, postmodern, neo-expressionist artists and pop surrealists: among others, Francis Bacon, R.B. Kitaj, Martin Kippenberger, David Salle, Lari Pittman, Anselm Kiefer, Neo Rauch. Ron English, Ryan McGinness, Doze Green, and Amy Pittman.

My artwork seeks to reveal the secret behind its own mystery, the enigma it creates through an overlay and potent stew of abstract, organic shapes and schematic symbols often focusing on the human face and motif. I use my imagination to twist and blend together different shapes, colors, form and imagery; through this process I celebrate the contradictory and unstable nature of our perceptions while emphasizing a dynamic, unexpected equilibrium between what brings us joy and what torments us. Throughout my art process, I seek to reconcile a playful, whimsical abstract sensibility with a concern and fascination with deep psychological and emotional truths. The forms and imagery in my work parse meta-cultural patterns by which our emotional states of mind connect with our perceptions; and how we relate to our perceptions.

Pumpkin

picture of "Pumpkin" by Jed Williams

To begin with this is my first piece of book-art ever. I sought to use the theme "Ritual" in a mulit-layered, active way; I chose the colors orange and black because they refer to Halloween.  In effect, we are in the holiday season.. but Halloween is actually my favorite holiday and it definitely is very rich in ritualistic history. 

Artwork in Ritual Single-sheet book show (2013)

picture of "Pumpkin" by Jed Williams
Pumpkin