Alun Williams

Biography

Alun Williams was born in Manchester (UK) in 1961. He exhibited his work for the first time in 1979 at the University of Manchester and in the same year left to study painting at the School of Art of the University of Wales. In 1981-82 he benefited from an overseas study grant to begin his long relationship with France as a student at the National Art School in Bourges. He finished his studies in Wales, had a solo exhibition at the Galerie Medamothi in Montpellier, then continues studying at Blackheath School of Art in London before beginning his Masters at Goldsmiths’ College (1986-87).

At this time, he exhibited notably at Maureen Paley (Interim Art) in London, as well as at the Museums of Stoke-on-Trent and Peterborough (UK). He undertook a residency and solo exhibition at the Art School of Nîmes (France), as well as at different venues and galleries in London. In 1991, he traveled to the USA and Canada, for a series of lectures and residencies. In 1992, with Isabelle Viallat, he created the Association La Vigie in Nîmes, and in 1993 he joined the Board of Directors of the Triangle Arts Association in New York. In 1995 he was the founder, with Claire Lesteven and Bernard Plasse, of the Triangle France Association, in Marseille at the Friche Belle de Mai. Since 1998, he has been based in New York, and in 2000, he was the founder of Parker’s Box, in the artist-run gallery neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Today, while concentrating his energies on his own painting practice, Alun Williams continues his involvement in the experimental projects undertaken by Parker’s Box, Brooklyn and supports the activities of Triangle in New York and closely follows those of Triangle France in Marseille and La Vigie in Nîmes.

He is also a long-distance runner and member of the New York Road Runners Club and North Brooklyn Runners.

In 2004 the French Ministry of Culture and Communication made him Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.