William J. Roberts

William Roberts was born in 1977 in Cardiff and has recently (2005) graduated with an MA in Fine Art from University of Wales Institute Cardiff. In 1995/6 he obtained a Diploma in Fine Art at UWIC and from 1996 to 1999 studied for his BA in Fine Art Printing at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is currently working in an artist residency in Cardiff supported by the South Wales Decorative and Fine Art Society (SWDFAS), the first beneficiary of this partnership between SWDFAS and Cardiff's Chapter Arts Centre.

His recent body of work is not so much a reference to a visible reality, but rather to a reality that is artificial, that is a fabrication of another world. The paintings represent a fairy-tale landscape, not based on the perception of nature but representing the constructed, virtual landscapes that surround us in the urban environment. The paintings are built up in layers of household emulsion and sanded back to reveal symbols or motifs. They incorporate urban, natural and cosmic elements, entirely imaginary that might resemble science fiction galaxies of spiraling stars, psychedelic flowers and virtual reality figures.

In 2006 Will embarked on a new project, painting on a smaller scale by applying acrylic paint in an improvised and dynamic way directly onto glass. The transparency of the latter allows him to explore the reverse side of the image. The skin of paint can be peeled off, flipped and transfered to canvas. This introduces a photograpgic quality.

Exhibitions todate: Wales Millenium Centre Cardiff, Oriel Davies Gallery Newtown, Tactile Bosch Cardiff, Painwork Exhibition Space Bristol, Chapter Art Centre Cardiff (first solo exhib.), Bay Art Cardiff.

International Experience: practicing artist in New Zealand in 2003/4 and in Australia from 2001 to 2003

Comments by others:
"If [in the 2006 exhibition at the Cardiff Millenium Centre] there were a prize for the least Welsh-looking artwork in this celebration of artists from or based in Wales it would have to go to the north Walian [sic] William Roberts. His huge fairytale landscapes are an explosion of colour and full of intricate, repetitive patterns that wouldn't look out of place on a Moroccan rug" (by Carrie Briffett in The Big Issue No.502, March 2006, pp.24-25).

"The surreal is explored in Will Robert's paintings, the consistency of the tiles (see gallery) providing a background on which cut-outs of other scenes and their shadows are placed. The effect is strikingly different every time" (by Rosanne White in The Big Issue No.540, December 2006, p.44).

Contact: williamjroberts@hotmail.co.uk