"I derive inspiration from urban art practice that confronts contemporary issues and am always experimenting to integrate modern archetypes with historical, societal, or spiritual topics. While some of the concepts in my work are quite unambiguous and literal, others are abstract references to the anthropological experience, individuality, or contain esoteric philosophies and historical references from the coded glyphs of ancient cultures." —William Daniels

William Daniels is a multidisciplinary artist, working mostly in textiles, who showed some of his work at the George Bruce Library in late 2019 and also curated a group exhibit of Harlem's Textile makers and shakers. We sat down with him recently for an interview about his work and philosophies.

What’s your background? 

I am African American. I am of French Creole descent from New Orleans, Louisiana.  

Why do you do what you do? 

I create art because I feel an undeniable urge to do so. I have always been creative, even before I knew what media I would use to express my creativity. I have been experimenting with various art forms since I was around eight or nine years old. My parents were extremely supportive and encouraged my endeavors. Eventually, things started to click and I connected with a variety of materials that became my go-to tools. 

What work do you most enjoy doing? 

I enjoy doing many things. I love creating textile art but I also enjoy creating digital media around the textile work that I create.

What themes do you pursue? 

I enjoy creating works that contain layered themes. Aesthetics is used as a foundation: a focus on form, theory and technique. Then I like to add a philosophical perspective fused with historical, societal, or spiritual topics.

What does your work aim to say? 

Messages in my work are usually based on the intention of a project. For example, I might decide to produce a quilt in the folk art tradition strictly meant to make a statement about the Kantian principles of aesthetic beauty which are based primarily on form.

How does your work comment on current social or political issues? 

Often I seize the opportunity to use textile art to critique society or spotlight specific events. I love the challenges this presents when using textile as the medium to make such statements. The juxtaposition of textile art and unsettling social commentary produces a unique tension. The combination of literal and figurative tension adds an additional layer of complexity to the work that parenthesizes the message in a way that is specific to textile art. 

Who are your biggest influences? 

My biggest influence in my life has been my mom. She has constantly encouraged (and as a kid financed) my creativity. Others include African American artists Hale Woodruff, Jean-Michele Basquiat, Michael Cummings and Bisa Butler.  

How have you developed your career? 

I have developed my career in a number of ways. As a youth I constantly sought to improve my skills and knowledge of my equipment. I read constantly and studied the work of experienced artists. I went to galleries and museums as much as possible.  As an adult I studied, collaborated, visited guilds, took workshops, and of course, went to college.  

How do you seek out opportunities? 

I am constantly self-promoting. I use my website and social media constantly. I respond to open calls, apply for grants, read as many art magazines as I can handle.  Networking at art openings and events has been extremely helpful.

How do you navigate the art world? 

I navigate the art world like I belong in it. If I can't find an opportunity I try to find a way to create opportunities.

What do you dislike about the art world? 

The most disheartening thing about the art world was realizing that the people I expected to embrace and support me did not. I misjudged it. Art is a business. I had to change my approach and think like an entrepreneur and not with the erroneous utopian vision of a naive emerging artist.   

Which current art world trends are you following? 

I do not follow art trends. It does not work for me. I create work with specificity; intention and vision. Rather than follow trends I seek to improve my technique, master my equipment and elevate my ideas.

Why art? 

I cannot imagine not creating art. Something about the creative process keeps my grounded and centered. I have to do it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

"Nothing beats a failure like a try." My mother said this to me when I was a little boy and tried (and failed) and sculpting. I felt so defeated. My mom said, "Hey maybe this isn't for you but keep trying because when you figure it out you are going to be amazing." She was right. Not that I think I am amazing but when I found my "thing" it was life changing.  

Has literature impacted your art making?   

Literature is very important to my work because the more I read and integrate new information into my thought repertoire the more my work evolves.   

Are libraries a part of your world? How important are libraries to you as an artist? 

I am a  3rd PhD student pursuing an interdisciplinary degree in Art Theory, Philosophy and Aesthetics. I spend an enormous amount of time in libraries, mostly digital these days. As an artist, not only are libraries important houses of knowledge and culture but they are amazing venues for exhibitions, discussions and workshops that play an important role in making sure that art and related discussions are available to all communities.  

What have you been working on recently?

Right now I am working on two commissions, expanding my Bovid Mask Series and creating version two of my owl series.   

Have the recent events had an impact on your art practice? 

Recents events have had a negative impact on my art practice. I was unable to go to my studio for more than five months. Studio rent is not cheap so it was a tremendous financial and emotional hardship. The combined COVID-19 and tense social climate hijacked my motivation and I found it difficult to be creative. I lost two long-time friends to COVID. It was (and still is) devastating. The continued racial injustice, protesting and Black Lives Matter movements are sobering reminders that there is still a lot of work to be done in this country. It is difficult to remain hopeful when so many decades after Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech we are still dreaming. I recently returned to my studio. I am not watching the news as much these days and I am finding ways to focus the energy of the time to get back my creative Qi.  

 

See more of William Daniels' work and find links to his social media on his website. 

If you feel inspired by his work and want to try your hand at quilting, check out NYPL's section 746.46 in our catalog.