Bedwyr Williams, in a project jointly curated by MOSTYN and Oriel Davies and supported by the Arts Council of Wales, represented Wales in Venice as an official Collateral Event at the 55th International Art Exhibition.
He presented The Starry Messenger at the Ludoteca Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, Venice, which explored the relationships between stargazing and the home, the cosmos, and the role of the amateur in a professional world.
The artist’s work often draws upon the quirky banalities of his own autobiographic existence to develop his sculptures and performances. His work merges art and life with an idiosyncratic twist that is instantaneously sympathetic and relational. His sculpture, installations, text and photography based works and live performances explore subject matter ranging from growing up in Colwyn Bay with size 13 feet, to a mini bus crash with four other artists in residence (in which he is the only survivor).
Williams' film, The Starry Messenger, is part of the British Council Collection.
Cymru yn Fenis Wales in Venice is commissioned and managed by the Arts Council of Wales and Wales Arts International with support and collaboration from the Welsh Government and British Council.
Biography
Born in St Asaph in 1974, Bedwyr Williams lives and works in Caernarfon, North Wales. His comedic and poetic live performances and installations deal with Welshness, otherness and difference. He has in the past assumed different personas in his work - a one-eyed preacher, the Grim Reaper and Count Pollen.
"I'm interested in worst case scenarios and the people that get caught up in them," says Willliams.
Williams’ work featured in the opening show of the new and refurbished MOSTYN and in 2011 the artist created a memorable installation in Oriel Davies of Nimrod - a piece first shown at Ceri Hand Gallery. Ceri Hand Gallery represents Williams and recently launched his new solo show, Dear Both, in London, during Frieze week in October 2012. Williams also presented Curator Cadaver Cake as part of Frieze Projects, in association with Grizedale Arts. Conducting a live autopsy on a life-sized curator made from cake, complete with edible internal organs, it was one of the highlights of Frieze London 2012.
