University of Virginia -- The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson is found throughout The Grounds of the University. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Academical Village, University of Virginia -- The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson emerges from an arched passageway, admiring its design. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
University of Virginia -- The University was among Thomas Jefferson’s proudest creations. The cornerstone of the first building was laid in 1817 by enslaved workers. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
University of Virginia -- The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson stands where white nationalists rallied on August 11th, 2017. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Rotunda, University of Virginia -- Jefferson’s vision is manifest; here, talented students (in background) “drink from the cup of knowledge.” Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Rotunda, University of Virginia -- The University of today is a world askew for The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Lawn, University of Virginia -- Looking down on the student body, The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson sees more than he envisioned in his day. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
Amphitheatre, University of Virginia -- The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson is overwhelmed by all the unforeseen change. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
University of Virginia -- On The Grounds, The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson finds comfort in the many things that have not changed. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Lawn, University of Virginia -- Even ghosts have their ghosts. A shadow haunts The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Academical Village, University of Virginia -- Standing on a threshold, The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson wonders who conjured it here, and why. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Academical Village, University of Virginia -- Among many fine representations, The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson is most lifelike. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Academical Village, University of Virginia -- The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson appears at home in fine white spaces. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
Ruffin Hall, University of Virginia -- On the inside, The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson struggles with darkness. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Liza Pittard
Ruffin Hall, University of Virginia -- Seeing that nothing is purely black or white, the Ghost of Thomas Jefferson wanders in this grey area. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Liza Pittard
University of Virginia -- Unmoving monuments to the man unsettle The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Rotunda, University of Virginia -- How did Thomas Jefferson find himself atop so many pedestals? Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Grounds, University of Virginia -- Who has history forgotten? Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
Serpentine Wall, University of Virginia -- By building a wall that curves, Jefferson used 25% fewer bricks as compared to a straight wall. The curved wall supports itself while being only one brick thick instead of two. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
Serpentine Wall, University of Virginia -- The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson treads a fine line of his own creation. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
University of Virginia -- On The Grounds, Narcissus blooms. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Rotunda, University of Virginia -- is just like Ghost home for Ghost The Rotunda, University of Virginia -- The ofThe Thomas of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson has a lot on its mind. Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
The Grounds, University of Virginia -- Among the shadows, The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson hides. Charlottesville, VA
Marisa Williamson/photo by Gabby Fuller
Marisa Williamson is a performance, video, and installation artist based in Newark, New Jersey. She has staged site-specific works at and in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (Charlottesville), Storm King Art Center (NY), Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY). She exhibits internationally.
Williamson was the 2018 Ruffin Distinguished Artist-inResidence at the University of Virginia. She has taught at the Pratt Institute, Rutgers University, and currently teaches at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
Publication supported by the McIntire Dept of Art and the Ruffin Distingushied Artist Fund.
photo by Marisa Williamson
Williamson received her B.A. from Harvard University and her M.F.A. from CalArts. She was a 2012 participant in the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture and the Whitney Museum’s Independent Study Program in 2014-2015. She has been a resident artist at Triangle Arts Association in Brooklyn, ACRE in Wisconsin, and will be a 2019 summer resident at SPACES in Cleveland.