2 Girls - Justin Lee Williams
Justin Lee Williams is an Australian artist/illustrator who is noted and acclaimed for the intriguing, highly distinctive qualities in his work. The emotive characters with intricate details offer a different world: containing extraordinary, nonconformist scenes.
Starting Point
Lead by his love for art and illustration, Justin Lee Williams studied graphic design at Swinburne University in Melbourne. However, it wasn’t until he had completed his studies that he ‘decided to lean more towards illustration/ art, than design’. He has since moved away from the city, where he felt he was ‘bombarded with advertising and constant messages’, to a much quieter location. Williams states that his surroundings have an effect on his art by ‘spilling’ into his works.
Now working and living in this peaceful environment, it has changed his view, and says he has been able to take a step back and see his work in a different light.
‘I live in my studio, so it can become quite the mess, just before an exhibition, or at the end of a job especially. Basically its an old log house, in the woods. Most of my painting and drawing takes place up stairs, where I have my computer and a large work desk. That’s were I do most of my cutting wood to size or constructing frames, etc. I usually have all my works up on the walls so I can jump from piece to piece.’
Bum A Smoke - Justin Lee Williams
Techniques and themes
The themes Justin Lee Williams usually explores are animals and aspects of memories from his childhood. In his newer pieces he has begun to investigate what he describes as ‘moments between time’.
‘I guess it’s kind of like not caring about the destination or the journey,’ he says, ‘but the minor things along the way. I still like using animals to help portray these scenes, but if they are not needed then I am happy to leave them out of it at the moment.’
Williams explains that he uses a ‘bunch of different mediums’ in his work, from straight lead pencils to whatever he can get his hands on. His need to experiment has lead him to employ a new technique in his most recent work which involves mixing an ink solution with washing liquid, and then blowing the ink bubbles onto the paper. Such experimentation gives an elevating effect on the texture and mood of his new work.
Deanne as Mickey - Justin Lee Williams
Influence & Direction
Williams lists his main influence as Australian artist Anthony Lister, with whom he was commissioned by the ABC/Triple J to create works to be displayed in their studio. Williams explains the significant effect this experience had on him at this stage of his career: ‘It was a real eye opener for me to be around such an amazing painter. I learned a lot more from him than what I had ever learned through school.’
In terms of guidance for young designers working today Williams has one strong piece of advice: don’t give up.
‘The only thing I could tell someone to do is to keep going. It will work for you no matter what you want to do, if you love what you’re doing,’ he says. ‘Be productive and the right people will come to you…and you just learn along the way.’
Man Dog Lady - Justin Lee Williams
Future
For the year ahead, Williams has a lot on his plate: including his first solo exhibition to be held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane; plus group shows including: 19 Karen (Gold Coast) and 12X12 (Sydney), with a lot more on the way this year. Keep watch on his website for more information as it becomes available.
- Caroline McCurdy
Further information:
www.justinleewilliams.com
www.ambushgallery.com
www.no-vacancy.com.au
