Robin F. Williams Summons Horror and Hope in ‘Good Mourning’

Robin F. Williams Summons Horror and Hope in 'Good Mourning'

As a seasoned gamer and enthusiast of art that delves into the intricacies of pop culture, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Robin F. Williams‘ fifth solo exhibition, Good Mourning, at P.P.O.W. Gallery. With a background steeped in video games where gender roles are often skewed and distorted, this exhibition promises to resonate deeply with my personal experiences.


Robin F. Williams’ solo exhibition titled “Good Mourning” will be displayed at P.P.O.W. Gallery from September 6 to October 26, 2024. The exhibit continues the artist’s exploration of gender in advertising, pop culture, and film with a vivid imagination and skillful craftsmanship. This focus on cinema hints at its influence in shaping shared memories and social expectations beyond the silver screen.

Williams’ horror-inspired gouaches highlight the symbolic portrayals of women in horror films, particularly B-slasher and psychological thrillers such as Carrie, Suspiria, Ganja & Hess, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. From piercing shrieks to heads peeking from doorframes, these repeated motifs contribute to the ‘fan fiction’ angle of the artwork.

In simpler terms, Williams’ oil paintings blur the boundaries between characters traditionally seen as villains, victims, or saviors within stories. These expansive works depict women at critical junctures of self-discovery, emotional release, or exposure, allowing each character to control their own destiny. Drawing on historical references such as Ana Mendieta and Édouard Manet’s “The Execution of Emperor Maximilian,” the idea of non-traditional conclusions is not just a storytelling device, but also manifests in the artwork’s structure and form.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that just like the intricate tapestry of art history, Robin F. Williams’ creative timeline doesn’t follow a straightforward path. Instead, it advances, draws inspiration from various sources, merges, and even revisits its own steps to continue evolving and reinventing itself anew. This exciting revelation comes as Good Mourning coincides with the debut of the first comprehensive monograph on his work, aptly titled Robin F. Williams: We’ve Been Expecting You.

P.P.O.W. Gallery
392 Broadway,
New York, NY

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2024-08-23 23:26