Brittney Leeanne Williams, Interruption 4, 2023 Brittney Leeanne Williams Interruption 4, 2023 Oil on Canvas 182.9 x 182.9 cm
Born in 1990 in Pasadena, California, Brittney Leeanne Williams makes the physical body the central focus of her art.
Her work features humanoid figures caught in deep states of change—twisted, squeezed, and altered by invisible, external forces.
Taking inspiration from her Southern California roots, Williams turns beautiful scenery into intense psychological realms fueled by memory and emotion.
Her paintings blur the lines between abstract and figurative art, seamlessly blending the human figure with its environment to capture profound feelings of exposure, strain, and evolution.
You can currently view Williams's work in the group exhibition Unmade.
The show, which also includes pieces by Romina Bassu, Dustin Emory, and Xi’an Kim, runs through March 19, 2026.
Brittney Leeanne Williams places the human body at the core of her creative exploration.
Her paintings capture figures in profound states of transformation—twisted, bound in drapery, and shaped by invisible, external forces.
These highly emotional compositions push the physical form to its limits, allowing bodies, skies, and landscapes to blur into a single, transcendent entity.
By utilizing a deep, rich color palette and emphasizing folds of fabric,
Williams nods to art historical traditions while exploring the tension between the physical and the intangible.
In her work, the idyllic landscapes of Southern California are reimagined as vivid psychological realms deeply tied to memory and emotion.
Her signature red, folded figures become powerful tools for exploring race, gender, and personal identity.
Through abstracted silhouettes, wrapped forms, and self-portraiture, Williams centers the Black female experience.
These potent symbols subvert traditional historical narratives, offering fresh insights into spirituality and self-representation.
Career and Accolades
Born in 1990 in Pasadena, California, Williams has built a significant international presence. Her professional milestones include:
Selected Exhibitions: Shows at prominent galleries and institutions globally, including Alexander Berggruen and The Hole (New York), Nicodim (Los Angeles), Monique Meloche (Chicago), Mamoth (London), Para Site (Hong Kong), Galerie Droste (Paris), and MoAD (San Francisco).
Public Collections: Her work is held in the Museum of Fine Arts (Houston), the Columbus Museum (Georgia), the Domus Collection (New York/Beijing), HE Museum (China), and Fundacion Medianoche0 (Spain).
Grants and Residencies: She is a recipient of the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation grant and has completed residencies at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, the Fores Project (London), Arts + Public Life, and the McColl Center.
