Working in a range of media, Kiyan Williams’ distinctive artworks make visible the fissures and dissonances within dominant narratives of history and American identity. For their first solo exhibition with Altman Siegel, A Crack Beneath the Weight of It All, Williams presents a series of new sculptures tracing the inherent and subterranean violence embedded in architectural forms, symbols of state power, and the American landscape.
Working in a range of media, Kiyan Williams’ distinctive artworks make visible the fissures and dissonances within dominant narratives of history and American identity. For their first solo exhibition with Altman Siegel, A Crack Beneath the Weight of It All, Williams presents a series of new sculptures tracing the inherent and subterranean violence embedded in architectural forms, symbols of state power, and the American landscape.
Nylon flag previously flown over capitol building, adobo, anise, cardamom, crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, eggs, flour, hawaij, jerk rub, seasoning salt, sazón, smoked cocoa, scotch bonnet, oregano, paprika, turmeric, sumac, acrylic varnish
72 x 38 x 6 in
182.9 x 96.5 x 15.2 cm
Nylon flag previously flown over capitol building, adobo, anise, cardamom, crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, eggs, flour, hawaij, jerk rub, seasoning salt, sazón, smoked cocoa, scotch bonnet, oregano, paprika, turmeric, sumac, acrylic varnish
72 x 38 x 6 in
182.9 x 96.5 x 15.2 cm
Nylon flag previously flown over capitol building, adobo, anise, cardamom, crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, eggs, flour, hawaij, jerk rub, seasoning salt, sazón, smoked cocoa, scotch bonnet, oregano, paprika, turmeric, sumac, acrylic varnish
72 x 38 x 6 in
182.9 x 96.5 x 15.2 cm
Steel tube, expanded steel, earth, binder, led lights
Overall: 73 x 76 x 6 in
185.4 x 193 x 15.2 cm
Two elements: 73 x 38 x 6 in each 185.4 x 96.5 x 15.2 cm (KW-S23-05)
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
30 x 24 x 22 in 76.2 x 61 x 55.9 cm (KW-S23-06)
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
30 x 24 x 22 in
76.2 x 61 x 55.9 cm
In the second gallery, Pig Roast, a video of a public event staged in Von King Park in Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, shows Williams engaged in the action of material transformation in real time in public. Williams invites a group of friends and neighbors to join them in roasting suckling pigs adorned with the paraphernalia of police uniforms. The video meditates on intramural gatherings as sites of fugitive and subversive play within the context of structures of policing and regulation.
Color video with sound, 4 minutes 5 seconds, loop,
C-print on Baryta paper, white matte 11 x 8 1/2 in
27.9 x 21.6 cm
Framed: 12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in
C-print on Baryta paper, white matte 11 x 8 1/2 in
27.9 x 21.6 cm
Framed: 12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in
31.1 x 24.4 cm
C-print on Baryta paper, white matte 11 x 8 1/2 in
27.9 x 21.6 cm
Framed: 12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in
31.1 x 24.4 cm
Edition of 3 plus 1 artist’s proof
Steel rod, steel mesh, earth, binder, led lights
66 x 16 x 14 in each
167.6 x 40.6 x 35.6 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
Hydrostone gypsum cement, earth, hard foam
28 x 20 x 20 in
71.1 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
22 x 25 x 14 1/2 in
55.9 x 63.5 x 36.8 cm
Rebar, steel mesh, earth, binder
Rebar, steel mesh, earth, binder 22 x 25 x 14 1/2 in
55.9 x 63.5 x 36.8 cm