1xRUN Thru Interview
Cranium Mania by Mary Williams
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this new series of work.
Mary Williams: I’ve narrowed my focus on this series to one theme: skulls. They are endlessly interesting.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this series with?
Mary Williams: I have been working with all kinds of new materials with this run, incorporating more 3D materials in with my usual method of collage making and drawing. I found mini bottles and rinsed them with ink. I found these tiny clothes pins that actually work and I used a couple pieces from my personal shell collection. Also, I found some sweet skull printed paper which I used in a few of the pieces. There was a decent amount of time spent coloring and cutting out skulls.
1xRun: When were these pieces created and how long did they take to complete?
Mary Williams: These took me a couple of months, I think. They were my summer labor of love.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Mary Williams: I am excited about the direction this series has taken my work and I think there is a new maturity with these collages. You know when you have something special going on in the studio when you can’t wait to get back to the pieces you are working on. This series is a good mix of personal touches and larger themes that everyone can get into.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about for this series.
Mary Williams: I had been doing a lot of gun themed work and I made the little collage with the fox drinking coffee by his human skull collection. I wanted to expand on the theme of what the world will be like after all the people die off. Maybe tiny animals will live in our old bones or alien invaders will make fine furniture out of our skulls.
1xRun: What do you feel is unique about these pieces?
Mary Williams: I see a lot of artwork that is very perfect, slick, smoothed over. I always strive for a decent level of realism in my work, but I also love that there is a handmade quality to it. I like to make work that looks like it has a history.
1xRun: Why should people buy these pieces?
Mary Williams: If you are into skulls, then this artwork is for YOU!
1xRun: Describe this series in one gut reaction word.
Mary Williams: Smile!
1xRun: We recently spoke about some work you are doing at the DIA and a possible documentary you are going to be in. Tell us a bit about that.
Mary Williams: I am very excited to be a part of the Ofrenda Exhibit at the DIA. I sent in a sketch and a proposal and I was chosen along with 27 other artists to make an Ofrenda or an altar made in memory of someone for the Day of the Dead celebration. My piece is a workbench in honor of my dad who passed away in 2006. It is not a traditional ofrenda, but I included traditional imagery such as the skull and marigold flowers.
My friend Joe is filming a documentary about myself and the making of the workbench, and that has been a fun experience. It is strange to wear a tiny microphone and talk about myself though as I am a bit of an introvert! He is still filming, we have a sit down interview and the artist talk at the museum yet to go. Maybe we will do a local screening and he may enter it in some film festivals, I don’t know yet. But the ofrendas will be on view at the DIA through November 2. So if you are in the Detroit area please check it out!
1xRun: Any new artist since your last run that have been inspiring you?
Mary Williams: There is a woman on Instagram who calls herself Wu Stitch, and she does really funny and sassy cross stitch pieces. You don’t expect to see ‘bitches ain’t shit’ nicely stitched into some fabric. It’s fabulous.
1xRun: What are your plans for wrapping up 2014, anything special coming up?
Mary Williams: I believe I’ve finally selected a piece to do a print with, so that will be new for me. I also do custom pet portraits, so I hope it will be a lucrative holiday season!
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Mary Williams: Instagram – Facebook
-1xRUN