Robert Williams: Conceptual Realism

Brute Waste

Robert Williams opened his most recent show at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in New York not to long ago.  The title: Conceptual Realism in the Service of the Hypothetical might seem confusing...but then again again so are some of his creations.  Williams' work has been influenced by genres of art that formal academics tend to reject, such as comic books, trading cards, and movie posters to name a few.   Add in a heavy dose of surrealism and fantasy and the result: a frenzied, colorful collection  of images that jump between hilarious cartoon figures, social commentary, and down right weird situations.  

Top picks are the two Sculptures Brute Waste and the descriptively titled Diamond up a Goats Ass. These are the first sculptures shown by Williams, and are composted of 9ft. steel frames covered in fiberglass and painted to a shiny gloss with auto paint.  His works in oil are likewise impressive, a series of fantastical situations you probably didn't see coming. Click HERE to view select works on show to see for yourself. 

The Persuasion of Right Angles

 

Diamond up a Goat's Ass