Isaac Williams--Craft Matching Content: Part II

As I watch Zeke work, it is evident that his mantra lies where high craft matches content. Only a man as passionate as he could carefully show me how to thread a needle while intricately explaining what it means in his grand installation. Zeke finds his inspiration in basic concepts like concrete cracks on the sidewalk and trash in a garbage can, as well as in complex content found in literature and on the internet. However, as Zeke simply states it, “talking out the idea helps develop it,” thus his discussions with colleagues, friends and family are the true catalysts to bringing his artwork to life.

Although he has been educated in both Printmaking and Book & Paper Arts, Zeke’s work has evolved over time to slowly diverge away from printmaking altogether. His current goal in his artwork is to integrate 2D and 3D sculpture in order to create a richer image and a “layered art experience.” With “Husk,” the dining room is not only portrayed as a place of consumption but as a domestic space that “hits close to home” and creates a personal connection within each viewer. “How do you get people to relate to your art?” is one question Zeke is always asking himself, and that question has lead to his dream of eventually creating an entire house-worth of installations to accompany his lone dining room.

Time is definitely not a constraint for Zeke, considering “Husk” originally took him seven full days to assemble for his MFA thesis! Instead, he approaches art by “reacting to materials, dreaming up ideas, and just getting out and doing it,” (similar to the Fluxus method coined by artist George Maciunas.) No matter how many complications arise, Zeke is in it for the long-haul.

With respect to future art happenings, Zeke likes to “follow the trail that gets laid out in front of [him].” In addition to making artist books that are shipped across the country, Zeke is currently figuring out ways to make his art more public by breaking through gallery boundaries. Already having a broad range of followers, he hopes to continue attracting a diverse fan base.

If you want to discuss your ideas of “Husk” or life in general with Zeke, be sure to attend the gallery reception for the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” exhibit on October 11th from 2-4 pm at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.

This is Kristina signing out…again.