

Williams, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, brings history to life through his intriguing cut paper collage portraits of important figures in U.S. and world history. He illuminates their lives, emotions and the background elements depicting their cultural context. Every detail is carefully researched and pieced together, lending the work a painterly quality, encouraging the viewer to delve into the character of his subjects.
As an autistic artist, Williams sees his work as a metaphor for his daily life. “The world for me is a chaotic place. Thoughts and images swirl around endlessly in my head. Art allows me to channel my energy, organizing many desperate elements into a unified and coherent image. By marrying my artistic vision with my passion for history, I seek to present a new perspective on my subjects. Their eyes are the focus of my work, usually looking directly at the viewer- something that is hard for me to do in real life. Through exploring the emotions I imagine my sitters felt, I get more in touch with my own.”
For more information about the Naples Depot Museum’s History Comes to Life The Collage Artof John M. Williams, please contact the museum at (239) 262-6525 or visitwww.colliermuseums.com/exhibits
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