Work by Charles Edward Williams

Curated by Calvin Phelps

Black River is a series of works by the artist Charles Edward Williams that acts as a composite portrait of the relationship between the artist and his father. When the artist was 15 years old, his father experienced a spiritual conversion that led him to the pulpit. Williams witnessed his father transform from an assertive military disciplinarian to a contemplative disciple of Christ. This transformation forced deep personal examinations. Williams had to navigate a new relationship with his father, reevaluate both their shared history, and contemplate his own spiritual journey. Black River springs from the need to grasp this experience of his father’s newfound sense of compassion. Throughout this developing series, Williams uses biblical parables and modern narratives to explore the profound act of forgiveness between father and son.

Black River is part of the Guest Curator program at Alabama Contemporary. Calvin Phelps is founder and director of Pike School of Art – Mississippi, a space in the Deep South for creative experimentation. Phelps’ prior professional experience includes working over a decade as director for Los Angeles contemporary art galleries. In 2010, he transitioned into the nonprofit sector working in development with Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) and at Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA, where he served as Communications Manager & Development Assistant. There he curated and helped organize several exhibitions. He earned an MFA in Relational Aesthetics and Interdisciplinary Art from Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA and a BFA in Advanced Painting from the School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL. He currently lives in McComb, Mississippi where he was born.

OPENING DURING SEPTEMBER ARTWALK

September 8 @ 6 PM

Generous funding for this exhibition and related programming is provided by: