Chris Williams

Passionate about all things arty, Chris Williams has built up a fascinating bespoke framing business in the creative district of Portsmouth, with the emphasis very much on variety. 4walls was keen to showcase this stunning outlet that simply brims with character.

LESSONS IN CRAFTSMANSHIP

Graduating with a Masters in Fine Art, Chris taught permanently excluded teenagers for a number of years before deciding on a career change following a chat with one of his artist friends. He took over an existing business in the first instance, then moved into premises that previously traded as a delicatessen in April 2018. Chris has kept many of the store’s original features, with beautiful woodwork and mirrors producing a quality, eclectic style.

Chris carries out much of his craftsmanship in the main shop, so customers get a real feel for his skills and talents. This really helps, he believes, in demonstrating the value that bespoke framing brings. They also get a welcome from Piglet – a Beagle/Rottweiler cross!

He enjoys being based in a very dynamic part of the city, thriving on variety and an array of unusual briefs. He told 4walls: “I am really lucky to have framed so many different objects and artwork, from an original Picasso to one of Grayson Perry’s creations.”

His most unusual commission was to frame family ashes in with a cross stitch needlework, closely followed by one customer’s X-ray and medical debris following a shattered leg reconstruction! One of his favourite recent jobs was King Of The Woods (see below), with its beautiful gold leaf work. Painted by local artist Alison Lawley, and sold to an enthusiastic buyer, the piece was then to feature in an exhibition at the cathedral, except it was stolen. The new owners were thankfully very understanding and commissioned another painting, followed by a request for a copy of the original piece.

Given Chris’s breadth of work, it is not surprising that he has such a cross section of moulding favourites. “I love the metallics and the woods.” He also uses a lot of Confetti and Komodo. “And I love the distressed frames like Brittany. Stunning!”

chriswilliamsbespokeframing.co.uk @chriswilliamsbespokeframing