Simon Williams resides and works in Cornwall, painting out of the UK's oldest working studios complex  Porthmeor Studios in St Ives. This location has been renowned for hosting a remarkable array of internationally acclaimed artists, including Julius Olsson, Frances Hodgkins, Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, Francis Bacon, and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.

Williams possesses a unique and experimental approach to painting, he is constantly exploring materials and methods to refine his approach. His work reflects a deep fascination with energy and illusionary space, the dynamism of urban graffiti and comic book styling have left an indelible mark on his aesthetic. Williams palette is vivid with a use of expressive brushstrokes and materials often chosen for their inherent graphic qualities. Paintings explore a reduced economy of form intended to play with registers of familiarity and ubiquity, serving as symbolic reflections of today’s world.

In addition to being a painter, Williams is a highly skilled animatronic designer in the film industry. This work requires a multitude of skills from complex design to highly skilled materials manipulation. Creating robotic devices that are designed to take on the characteristics of animals or imaginary creatures. In addition to these skill sets Williams has also been a puppeteer of many of his creations live in front of camera from Alien creatures on 'Prometheus' to Giant walking Spiders in 'Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets'.

His expertise has taken him around the globe, collaborating with esteemed companies from pioneering days at Spitting Image and Jim Hensons Creature Shop to the forefront of technological advancements on Warner Brothers blockbuster films.

Williams has exhibited his work extensively, ranging from curating the exhibition 'After Illusion,' which brought together six prominent abstract painters from the South West, to showcasing his art at and exhibiting at the prestigious 'John Moore's Painting Prize' at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and the London Art Fair. He has also held solo exhibitions in Bristol and London, further establishing his presence in the art world.

Furthermore, Williams has shared his knowledge and expertise through teaching and lecturing at esteemed institutions such as the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the Royal College of Art, and the Plymouth College of Art. Currently, he teaches the course 'Exploring Abstraction' at Newlyn Art School, imparting his artistic insights to aspiring artists.

Simon Williams' multifaceted career spans the realms of painting, animatronic design, puppetry to curation, and education, showcasing his diverse talents and contributions to the art community.

Simon Williams is represented by https://www.virginiavisualarts.com/simon-williams

Exhibitions

“Carry My Landscapes II “ Marie jose gallery, South Kensington, London 2023

“170 RWA” Royal Western Academy, Bristol 2023

“Carry My Landscapes” The Shed, Frome Somerset 2023

London Art Fair with VVA Virginia Visual Arts (Virginia Damtsa co founder and director Rifle Maker) 2023.

“Equipoise” Solo Show That Art Gallery, Bristol 2022

“167 RWA” Royal Western Academy, Bristol 2019

“Luna Park” Solo show Serena Morton Gallery, London 2019

“New Vocabulary ” Serena Morton Gallery, London 2018

In discussion with Michael Bird Author and Historian for ‘New Vocabulary’

“Radiance” That Art Gallery, Bristol 2018

“The Other Art Fair” Victoria House, London 2018

“Ultra Space” Solo Show That Art Gallery, Bristol 2018

“Atrium Gallery” Truro, Cornwall 2017

“New Works” Solo Show The Crypt Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall 2017

“After Illusion” Penwith Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall 2017

[With written contribution by John Baldacchino Professor of Arts Education at the University of Wisconsin]

“Autogenous,”,PZ Gallery, Penzance, Cornwall 2016

“John Moore’s Painting Prize”, John Walker Gallery, Liverpool 2016

“Zap” The Crypt, St Ives, Cornwall 2016

“Project 103” Newquay, Cornwall 2016

“Gallery 49” Falmouth, Cornwall 2015

“Falmouth Art Gallery” Falmouth, Cornwall 2015

“Penwith Associate Members Exhibition” St Ives, Cornwall 2015

“Project 103″ Newquay, Cornwall 2015

“Candid Arts Spring Salon” Islington, London 2015

“Limbo” Leth Cornwall Art Biennial The Old Coffin Store Truro, Cornwall 2013

“Recent Paintings Old bakery Studios, Truro, Cornwall 2013

“Jacks Cows” Hall for Cornwall, Truro, Cornwall 2009

Viscosity” Solo Show Vitreous Contemporary Art, Truro 2007

“Simon Williams and Vincent Rymer” Rainyday Gallery, Penzance, Cornwall 2006

“Dynamism” Solo Show Vitreous Contemporary Art, Truro 2005

“Bonhams Cornish Contemporary Art”, Trewithin, Cornwall 2005

“Fat Cat” Gallery, Newlyn, Cornwall 2004

“New Works” Patterson Associates, London 1992

“Mid Art Birmingham” West Midlands 1991

“Recent Drawings” Solo Show “The Garden”, Loughborough 1990

“Alternative Leonardo Exhibition” Gabriels Wharf, London 1990

“Art in the Park”, Clapham Common, London 1989

“NewPack”, Cline Associates Neasdon, London 1989

“Gadsby Drawing Prize”, Leicester, Leicestershire 1989

“Mini Works”, Loughborough, Leicestershire 1988

“Leicester Infirmary Exhibition” Leicestershire 1986

“Summer Show”, Nottingham City Artists, Nottinghamshire 1988

“Lady Bird Drawing Competition” Loughborough, Leicestershire 1984

“Bilston Museum Group Exhibition” West Midlands 1982

sELECTED fILM cREDITS

tHE fLASH 2022

tHE dARK CRSTAL 2019

sTAR wARS: Episode VII THE FORCE AWAKENS 2015

PROMETHEUS 2012

CHILDREN OF MEN 2006

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE 2005

hITCH HIKERS TO THE GALAXY 2005

HARRY pOTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN 2004

HARRY pOTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS 2002

hARRY POTTER aND THE pHILOSPHERS STONE 2001

tHE FLINTSTONES vIVA ROCK VEGAS 2000

sTAR WARS: aTTACK OF THE CLONES 2000

lOST IN SPACE 1998

THE ADVENTURES OF PINNOCHIO 1996

KILLER TONGUE 1996