DIANE WILLIAMS | MY AMERICA
07-04-2017
Los Angeles, CA
Written by Baha Danesh
Featuring Diane Williams
Snuggled within the Los Angeles Brewery Art Colony is Shoebox Projects where multidisciplinary artist Diane Williams has been working on a site-specific installation called, “My America.”
For the past month, Diane has been exploring ideas of marginalization by physically dividing the space into a world of thought provoking artistic visuals that were inspired by the surge in hate crimes since the inauguration of Trump. This allowed Diane to explore a common ground between her installation and the community at large.
Diane’s installation is visually a site to explore in person. Thread, yarn, and even strips of canvas have brought to existence a life size map. As the viewer walks within the installation you cant help but feel connected to the world. Not only is the installation visually pleasing, it’s also interactive! For the past month Diane has asked viewers to write the first name of an immigrant they know and has allowed them to post it on the wall. Collectively this has been illustrating the idea of an extended community.
While exploring Diane’s installation I was lucky enough to ask her why she chose the art world and her statement was perfect.
She said:
“Art is one the very few professions that some people gravitate towards, not for monetary gains but to enrich lives through creativity and the love for art making. The day I decided to go to art school and devoted time and money into pursuing this path was the day I became an artist. The life of an artist is not without sacrifice and in fact most challenging at times, but the importance of creating artwork is so much greater than the obstacles. Art is about idealization and being a part of big conversation through aesthetics, theory, imagination and individuality. This is why I chose art and it is why I choose art everyday.”
Diane Williams’ artist in residency and exhibition at Shoebox Projects will be on view until July 9th 2017, with a closing reception taking place on July 8th 3-6 PM located at 660 South Avenue 21 #3
Los Angeles, CA 90031.
Shoebox Projects is a new experimental art space in DTLA, where emerging and mid-career artists are given an opportunity to freely experiment with new ideas and directions for their practice. Founded by Kristine Schomaker, multimedia artist and director of Shoebox PR and Art and Cake, Shoebox Projects intends to give artists a chance to recharge and renew their relationship with their work.
For more information about Diane Williams please visit DianeWilliamsArtist.com
Photos by Baha Danesh
