Kas Williams

Describe my work 

I have a very loose approach to making and I like the sense of freedom that comes with experiment. I work in abstract form, two constant themes being colour and music. Colour for me has a lyrical energy and exuberance that resonates with music and a vibrant use of colour has become a signature of my work. I like to mix materials and often use multiple techniques on the same piece which gives me a sense of composing when I’m working that correlates with the composition of music.

Photographs by Kas Williams

What inspires me 

Many things and I’m not literal in translating what I see into my work. I’m just aware of colour pattern and texture in the world around me and I think that all percolates into a re-interpretation in abstract form when come to make something. I’ve been privileged to study with textile artists Michael Brennand-Wood, Matthew Harris and Carol Waller who have all fed my sense of experimentation and adventure. Other inspiration comes from the work of painters Albert Irvin, Howard Hodgkin and Mali Morris as well as designer and colourist Hella Jongerius, basketmaker Tim Johnson and glass artist Dale Chihuly.

About the place I work

I live on the south coast and my studio is in the basement of my house. It’s not massive but I have space for an office and a workroom and being below ground it’s a cool retreat from the heat in summer and pretty cosy in winter. I have a small courtyard garden and the sea is just a 5 minute walk away from my house

How Lockdown has affected my work 

Lockdown has been a strange mixture of emotions. It’s been a gift of space and time to slow down and consider what I want as well as a time to create new work, learn and try new things. The explosion of opportunities, support and information from the creative world has been wonderful though a bit crazy at first as the world woke up to how good creativity is for wellbeing. Trying to keep a healthy balance between screen time and making was hard and I don’t think I was the only one who experienced a fear of missing out. I know that many artists have felt under pressure to come out of the pandemic with a new body of work. At some time I got a bit overwhelmed so I stopped everything, switched off and concentrated on feeling OK which turned out to be a really good idea ! 

When I did start making work again I had to be more resourceful and inventive with whatever materials I had in my studio. Having less choice was a really good thing because it generated some very different pieces of work that probably wouldn’t have come into being otherwise. I also re-kindled my love of painting which has been a joy. Early morning walks down to the seafront and harbour with my camera have been a great opportunity to capture the emptiness of ghost town and the brightness of colours and the clarity of reflections in the water have all had an unconscious affect on the creation of new paintings.

What’s next 

I’ve just had some new work that incorporates poetry selected to exhibit at Vienna Calling in September which is very exciting. The show is a collaboration between ArtCan Group and Atelier Cool Pool and will run from 25 September to 9 October at Atelier Cool Pool in Vienna 

In November I’ll be taking part in a group show at The Cello Factory in London and I’m also working on a range of ‘Collectables’ - cushions, bags and scarves - which I hope to launch towards the end of the year.

FaceBook/Instagram: kaswilliams