William York is a British artist influenced by the remnants of consumerism, environmentalism and the cultural debris of his surroundings. In his sculptures William York is rewriting object’s stories by using them as vessels to create juxtapositions: the man-made and organic, the lost with the found, the accidental and intentional. He creates shrines of oddity balancing chaos and harmony.
"I think its tough for everyone at the minute, artists included. Although this being said I think out of all the professions, we are equipped to deal with this situation the best. As a naturally introspective bunch, we may have had to change our practice a little and may have had to make some compromises, but being confined really doesn’t stop us being able to create or think. In fact, this time should be viewed in a positive light. Now we can focus on our relationships, discipline and most importantly, our future selves.
This situation arose at a crossroads for me, as I was in the process of moving country and working towards two upcoming shows.
The move has affected me as much as the crisis, I feel quite unsettled and don’t really have a permanent space to work in that is my own, but I’m sure many feel the same trying to work during the crisis, so its not exactly a unique situation. I tried to apply the same approach to the new work, in a new environment, and it hasn’t really worked for me, so I view this as time to evolve. Its time for new inspiration, new techniques and new processes. After all, I am inspired by my environment and surroundings. Now that has changed, so will the work. Its quite fitting for the time."
William York Birmingham, England. June 29, 2020
Ode to Lonnie (2019)
dimensions variable, found objects with concrete base
BPX 1820 (2019)
dimensions variable, assembled found objects
Re-Encountered (2019)
dimensions variable, site specific installation (Hosek Contemporary Berlin)An encounter is singular, unrepeatable and unpredictable. It marks not only a unique moment of temporary contact, but also the past and the future, makes them meaningful, defines them anew. Encounters are possibilities, to encounter something means to experience something. In this exhibition two artists explore the notion of the encounter from two very different perspectives, interconnected by the notion of the everyday. Everyday encounters: the familiar, the unexpected, the strange, the lost, the found. The everyday manifests itself in found objects that have been discarded and given a second life but also in technology that we are familiar with, yet never see.
William York’s work explores the ideas of ‘modern day’ abandonment and society’s ‘throw away’ culture. He creates sculptures out of objects that have been left in the urban environment of Berlin. These objects carry the traces of time passed within them, and at the same time hold possibilities for something new. The traces of time and decay with their faded colours are signifiers of the objects journey, they become part of what York calls “accidental compositions”.
DDR Dinge (2019)
dimensions variable, found objects set in concrete
Rauchen Verboten (2019)
dimensions variable, found objects assembled