Ahoy, this is the first bio I wrote and edited for months. It sorta felt like I was beating my own eggs if u know what I mean. Was I supposed to have someone write my pro bio for me? idk. well, posting this here for reference.
Childhood & Early Life: (1997-2020)
Born into a family of fundamentalist pastors in the rural mountain town of Hungry Horse, MT. (pop. 500), Willows had no cultural exposure or artistic training prior to the conception of his practice. The realm of art was non-existent beyond the music played at church; the wild crowd of Montana was largely focused on surviving winter and had little interest in art beyond nature. Throughout his childhood, Willows’ older siblings played a crucial role in displaying artistic possibilities and expanding his creative influences & aspirations.
In 2010, Willows’ family split and he moved to Austin, TX. He found success on the football field as a youth, which led him to be recruited by the University of Pennsylvania to play for the Quakers.
It was during this time that Willows would begin to discover various mediums of expression away from the field— primarily photography & songwriting. Upon graduation from the Wharton School in 2020, Willows worked a short series of corporate jobs before leaving them to pursue independence in Los Angeles.
Conception of Work: (2021)
In his first-ever museum visit(s) at age 22, Willows discovered the depth and range of expression celebrated within the canon of art. Inspired by viewing the works of Picasso, Basquiat, Dali, and other greats, Willows set out to find his voice and join the choir of artistic ancestors that came before him.
Willows first put brush to canvas at age 23. Conceived during the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Willow’s initial works were primarily a form of communication with self in a society that now seemed alien. Driven by a deep motivation to explore this new unfamiliar expanse of visual mediums, the flurry of creations was raw yet inspired.
Aesthetically, the work flows from abstraction, with a cacophony of references, techniques, and mediums littered throughout. Willows takes naturally to large-scale work with his frenetic pace, hyper-expressive palette, and voracious appetite for trying new things. A multidisciplinary student of humanity, Willows draws from his experience in songwriting, photography, fashion, graphic design, and traditional mediums to continuously evolve. His work often varies in material and format. Fascinated by societal and natural structures, Willows hopes to capture his unique spiritual perspective in form and color. An outsider to the world of fine art, Willows is also inspired by Jean Dubuffet and other practitioners of Art Brut.
Despite the younger nature of his practice, late introduction to the arts, and age, Willows strives to elaborate on the contemporary artistic narrative while presenting visually striking works that evoke contemplation of the post-modern human condition. A voyager of expression in constant flux, Willows has no plans of slowing down.
Willows currently resides in Los Angeles, California, and primarily practices visual mediums and poetry. View his work here. + @abewillows
__________________________________________________________________________