Today we’d like to introduce you to William Atkinson.
William, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have spent the last ten years producing artwork and working in the arts, from Los Angeles to New York and now back home in Dallas. Street art was my entrance into the art world and I was lucky enough to have founded a collective during the ‘golden years’ of LA street art. During this time, I started to include fine art and public interactions into my repertoire. It was important for me to have an ongoing discussion with the city of LA and I allowed that to direct my creative output. When I moved to NY, the energy of that city changed the discussion and I started juxtaposing a combination of much more fine art with a much more visceral, personal expression on the streets. These were exciting years and allowed for tremendous growth. Now that I am back home in Dallas, I look forward to how the conversation with a new city will influence my work and how I may thoughtfully continue to incorporate the aspect of public interaction.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I work across many different mediums. While I don’t constrain myself to any specific technique or style, the message and content does follow a recognizable path. My work tends to focus on re-contextualization of imagery and inclusion of text. It is my hope to create a public discourse regarding how we, as society and individuals, process information and make decisions.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
The start of my career as a street artist in LA could not have been more solitary (imagine running around the city at night by yourself). As the community started coming together, people attended events and shows where there was a common interest. I met approximately 10 artists who became great friends at one show by simply introducing myself and asking if anyone knew of other artists present. My recommendation is simple: find things that stimulate and interest you. Attend them. Then try to meet people that you find interesting – you never know where a good conversation may lead.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see my artwork across the streets of the globe (if you look closely). Currently, if you are driving in Dallas, you will most likely come across pieces placed strategically across the landscape. For more conventional viewing, my work will next be on-view at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center “Art for Advocacy” event and on my website (www.rynham-art.com).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rynham-art.com
- Email: rynham.art@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rynham.art
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
