A project by Todd Williamson, a well-known West Hollywood artist and a member of the city’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission, has been chosen as an official exhibition for the 2019 Venice Biennale.
The Venice Biennale, which originated in 1895 (now known as Art Biennale), is one of the world’s most famous art exhibits.
In an announcement of the selection, Williamson said that his project, “Processional,” “will be a statement on ‘influencers and thought-provokers’ and the power they have in today’s society. The personality and ego of each will be examined through the use of color and movement in eight large-scale paintings as well as a ‘sound room’ as you enter the space from the Grand Canal. Greg Walter, professor of voice at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, is composing special music for the exhibition and will do a series of solo performances.”
“Being chosen is an incredible honor and will be the catalyst for taking my career to the next level,” Williamson said. “As an artist, this is the most important exhibition of my life. It will change many aspects of how my art is seen, shown, and sold.”
The MAK Center of Art & Architecture is the presenting sponsor and the Pollock Krasner Foundation is the major financial sponsor of Williamson’s exhibition. That foundation was established with funding from late Lee Krasner, one of the leading abstract expressionist painters and the widow of famed artist Jackson Pollock). Williamson recently received its “Prize for Creativity” for work that “embodies high creative standards and exemplifies the impact of art on individuals and society.”
Williamson said the exhibition will be open at the chapel of the Santa Maria della Pieta Church on Venice’s Grand Canal between St Mark’s Square and the entrance to the Arsenale. The exhibition will open previews on May 8-10, with the official opening May 11, and will run through November.
Williamson is seeking support from the community for the installation.
I need your support in order to make the Biennale project happen. I have a short time frame to secure the remaining funding for the project after getting the official invitation and primary grant awarded. With your support, we can make this an incredible exhibition that will surely catapult my status as an artist.
On a GoFundMe page that he has created, Williamson said that “in a very short period I’ve raised nearly half of the funds necessary for exhibition, but still need your support to raise the remaining $100,000 in the coming months.”
The GoFundMe account can be found online.Tax deductible donations for Williamson’s project also can be made through the MAK Center’s website.
Todd is an incredible artist and we are so lucky to have him in our city as well as a commissioner. Bravo!