Artist's Statement

I believe my work exists in a liminal zone between, on the one hand, joyful, occasionally cacophonous explorations of different types of color and mark-making; and, on the other, an ongoing investigation of the subconscious psychological states of mind. I am fascinated by culture and mythology, and increasingly incorporate themes such as crosses, pin-ups, peace signs, Buddhist-influenced iconography, and other pop symbols.

In a broader sense, my instinct is to use a deeply personal, stylistically layered approach that has, to some degree, been influenced by my own personal psychological struggles. I want people who look at my art to be shaken, moved, and entertained. I hope my work creates a more personal form of pop art with spiritual and personal relevance.

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Artist's Biography

Jed Williams was born in Philadelphia in 1975 and raised in Paris, France. Williams comes from an artistic background  -- his father, the celebrated poet C.K Williams and his mother, Catherine Mauger, a jeweler. He attended the University of the Arts (BFA, Painting and Drawing, 2000) and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Certificate in Painting, 2005).

Jed has exhibited widely in both solo and group exhibitions across the country. He has been reviewed by media outlets and blogs in Philadelphia, such as DonArtNews, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the City Paper. His work is in private collections in the US, France, Eastern Europe, and the Ruttenberg Center for Autism collection. From 2010 to 2021, he owned and directed the studio gallery off of South Street, the Jed Williams Gallery, that showcased the work of local artists.  The studio (now named Jed Williams Studio) focuses on his artwork and hosts workshops/classes by local crafters and designers.

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Education

2005
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Certificate, Painting

2000
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
BFA, Painting and Drawing

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Bibliography

Publications

From Hell to Highwater, vol.2 issue 5, 2014

2013
Fall/Winter “Dream” issue of SNAX Magazine, 2013

Cover art, Williams, C.K. , Repair, Farrar Straus & Giroux

Artwork featured in April 2016 issue of GFT Press in print and online:

http://www.gftpress.com/jedwilliams

Bibliography

2019
“(Still) Life in Motion”, artblog Picks For August(2019

2013

Russell, Myra, “Seduction holds a rose - Best of Show: the best of the best in urban expression" Tumblr, November 2013

Brewer, Don “Hmm?” DoNArTNews, March 24, 2013

"Featured Artist: Jed Williams" Manufactured Dissent, January 2013

2012
Newhall, Edith “Signs and symbols” Philadelphia Inquirer, issue of April 15, 2012

2009
"'Dragnet' brings dark, gritty views to South Street", Philadelphia Inquirer, August 16, 2009

2007
“Last Chance”  Philadelphia City Paper, August 1-7, 2007

2006
Philadelphia City Paper, August 3-10, 2006

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Collections

Private and Corporate Collections in the  US, France, and Eastern Europe

_{Ruttenberg Center for Autism, Blue Bell, PA}

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Exhibitions

Solo and Two-person

2022
Signs of Wonder, City art Salon, Philadelphia, PA

2019
Chaos meanderings, Side Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2018
My colors, my joy, Holy Family University Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Jed Williams: Small Works, Industrious, Philadelphia PA

2017
Jed Williams, Soltane Arts, Phoenixville, PA

2013
Bio-Urban Dreamscapes, Cultured Couture Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Recent works by Jed Williams, Jed Williams Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Neon luscious, Giant Steps Picture Framing, Philadelphia, PA

Dreamscape Semi-abstraction, the Hex Factory, Philadelphia, PA

2007
Jed Williams, Conspiracy Showroom, Philadelphia, PA, 2007

2006
Jed Williams, Caramel, Philadelphia, PA

Group

2023

New Now VI, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2022
The EVAC Summer Show, the East Village Art Collection, New York, NY

2020
Art of Possibilities, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Minneapolis, MI

2019-2020

Art Ability, Bryn Mawr Rehab Center, Bryn Mawr, PA

2019
(Still) Life In Motion (with Laura Storck), Jed Williams Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2018

Springtime, After All, Gallery 50, Inc., Bridgeton NJ

2017

Intersections, International House/Da Vince Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2016
Made in Philly, Drexel University AAGA Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2015
Abstract Catalyst, Verum Ultimum, Portland, OR

Our Greatness, Our Struggle, Indigo Bleu Design & Culture Center, Philadelphia, PA

2014
Square Foot Art Basel Miami Redux, Projects Gallery, Miami, FL

Day of the Dead show, Eyes Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2014 Passyunk Square Civic Association Art Auction, Philadelphia, PA

Amore, The Express, Philadelphia, PA

2013
RITUAL. Reading room: Book Show, 110 Church Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Community Exhibition 2013, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Art Basel exhibition, Mamushka Gallery, Miami, FL

Faces of Women, C.H.A.P.S. Museum and Resource Center, Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Connection, The Gilbert J. Perry Center for the Arts, Middletown, DE

2011
Art for the Urban Collector, Highwire Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Puppies Kittens and Chicks, Square Peg Artery and Salvage, Philadelphia, PA

2009
Hidden Pictures: Voyeurism in America, Brooklyn, NY

Dragnet, Sage Projects, Philadelphia, PA

All Ages Show, St. March Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Artist Friendly Exhibition, Skylight 307, Philadelphia, PA

2008
Absolutely Abstract 2008, the Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

NYC Vinyl Record Exhibition, APW Arts, New York City, NY

The World of the Professional Artist #2, MCGOPA at SPP Galleries, Philadelphia, PA

2007
Timeless, Gallery 364, Brooklyn, NY

The Mid-Summer Show, Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

The Air Show, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA

Abstractions, Bauhaus Gallery, Westmont, NJ

The First Annual Philly Art for ALS Fundraiser, Meadowlands Country Club, Blue Bell, PA

The 17th Annual  A Show of Hands Auction for MANNA, Moore College of Art and Design,Philadelphia, PA

2006
Philly Videohouselive multimedia exhibition, World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA

SIX SIX SIX, Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

4th Annual Bike Part Art Show, Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Small Works Exhibition, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

The Variety Show, the Falling Cow Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

7 Deadly Sins, Off the Wall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2005
The 104th Annual Student Exhibit and 13th Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2004
The 103rd Annual Student Exhibit and 12th Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2002-2003
Student Exhibition: Dreams to Interpretation, The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum of Contemporary American Art, Philadelphia, PA

2002
Day of the Dead, Underground Art Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

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