Bold & Unbridled Kristian Williams

Bold colours and unbridled lines – those are the main elements inspiring the title, Bold & Unbridled, for artist Kristian Williams’s debut exhibition, taking place at the Mercure Hotel from 4-18 March. The name is also a nod to the leap of faith it takes for an emerging artist in a major city to launch their first exhibition to the public.

Not that 29 year-old Brisbane-born Williams should feel too intimidated. A recipient of the Minister’s Award for Art Excellence in 2003, he’s had successful careers in the creative industries and high-end fashion, giving him the confidence to now devote himself to his passion of painting full-time. 

Williams’s 30-piece exhibition heralds “a revival of neo-expressionism meets high-end street art”, with the artist being influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Norris Embry. Some pieces capture the angst and rawness of the human condition, but this is counterbalanced with thick, decorative slabs of bright colours to lend some optimism. Other gentler, quirky works display an almost tongue-in-cheek humour. 

The artist also regularly references mythological, cultural and surrealist themes in works he has painted after waking up from a dream and immediately putting down on canvas what he’s just experienced in his sleep.

Brisbane art lovers should definitely explore this debut outing by an exciting and emerging local artist, then you can say you were there at the beginning before the rest of the country and the world catch on. The opening event will be curated by Brisbane fashion leader, Di Cant.

by Vicki Englund