Opening Reception: Friday, October 20th, 6-9pm

1708 Gallery is pleased to present Many Moons, a solo exhibition of new works by interdisciplinary artisy James Williams III.

Curated by Rā-Twoine Fields, 1708’s Royall Family Curator, Many Moons will feature drawings, paintings, installation and a performance that strive to convey ancestral themes anchored in resilience, navigation, and perseverance. Williams’ layered approach reflects multiple expressions and gestures coexisting simultaneously in order to provide evidence of a more inclusive narrative beyond the conventional and superficial.

Based in Atlanta and originally from Richmond, Williams creates points of resonance, reflection, grounding, homage, remembrance, shared consciousness, and historicity through his research and studio practice, exploring the intersections between his personal accounts and the shared experiences of those in his orbit. This element of his practice aims to discover new methods of preserving oral tradition by representing those voices, perspectives, and stories in his artistic process. For this body of work, Williams examines the overlap of narratives surrounding endurance and wayfinding in order to interpret the multidimensionality of how we navigate our emotions and journeys alike. Ultimately, Many Moons provides a safe atmosphere to confront and reflect on the emotional dance necessary in actualizing one’s position.

Over the past decade, Williams’ work has evolved from sculptural installations to larger scaled paintings. This is the most extensive exhibition of Williams’ work to date and demonstrates the expansion of his visual language within the last year.