Le Rapport Minoritaire Magazine

broad – edition quantities. Williams also creates a number of commissioned works annually.

“I could do the wine-and-cheese events, but is that my calling?” I believe that my calling is more to the masses, to introduce them to art in a quality, creative, positive way. If they evolve into people who love art, and then start to collect art, I want it to be because something pure in my work caught their attention. If that has happened – if they’ve fallen for the pure message in my work – then my mission is accomplished. He has enjoyed significant commissions including Motions, the hair-care company , Oprah Winfrey and the late actor/ comedian Bernie Mac. Kevin Williams lives and operates his fine arts publishing company WAKART LLC in the Atlanta area.

It’s surprising to hear this 21st century businessman reveal his old-school philosophy that is the inspiration behind his art. “The velvet painting you saw in basements in the 70s…,” he oozes, as if he’s carefully revealing a secret. “I can remember my parents and their basement parties, and the LPs, and the Afro-centric sculptures and all the blackness…“The 70s seemed like a time of such sensuality and independence for black people to me,” he said. “My early art definitely leans toward that sensuality touched with Greek mythology – a sort of ‘soul gothic’ inspired by black power and Michelangelo.” Williams says that the independence of Black people in the 70s that he so admired is right in line with the independence contemporary artists seek. “Today, we have the freedom to create more expressive art that isn’t censored or restricted at all.”