Random Interview: Kelly Dee Williams
Posted on December 18, 2005
Filed Under Magazines, Discussion, Interviews |
I got this little interview with artist, Kelly Dee Williams, in my email the other day from the KreativNetwork. I think was just the right size and a good template for blog interviews so the good people at KreativNetwork have graciously allowed me to republish it here on streetres. Read on:
The following is an interview conducted by renowned curator F. Gerhardt Spaunbauer with up-and-coming American artist Kelly Dee Williams. It was recently published in a Tokyo skate & art zine.
F. Gerhardt Spaunbauer: Hey, Kelly- how are things in the States?
Kelly Dee Williams: They are decent. I’m sure the tele makes it appear pretty awful.
FGS: It always does.
KDW: Yeah.
So, let’s get on with this interview. Tell me about your artistic influences.
That’s a big first question. Well, I guess that whether good or bad, I am influenced by everything around me. As far as actual artists that I admire, I have always been intrigued by my skateboard idols. I grew up regarding people Mark Gonzales, Neil Blender, and Ed Templeton as true artists, you know? In my high school art classes, they were always teaching me about these artists that I had no aesthetic interest in. The stuff that Gonz or Ed was doing at the time was what really made me love art. I always considered them to be it, you know. Skating and art will always have a fundamental connection.
What’s with this Kreativ Network thing you are a part of?
It is basically a league of creators and skate/street art aficionados. My connection with this project has stemmed from my association, direct or indirect, with some of the raddest artists in the world. They are making limited edition t-shirts, skate decks, and other artist collaboration crap. It’s pretty cool to see it slowly take form. I think there will be some original Neil Blender limited release decks, etc.
Yeah, I agree. Where can people see your latest pieces?
I have a little website, alphatibet.com, and some stuff available thru the Kreativ Network.
You’re a spiritual guy, right? What’s up with that? I thought artists were supposed to be cynical, unbelieving democrats.
[Laughs] I guess I’m a rather spiritual guy. I hold my beliefs close to me, and they are a thematic part of my decisions and day-to-day life. I don’t know if you can see that it my art. I have no idea.
What is wrong with the world?
There is a lot wrong with the world, but there is also a lot of good that is taking place, too. In my opinion, a very negative thing is that people have stopped believing in a Supreme Being of any sort. This has led to selfishness, no fear of eternal consequences, immorality and dishonesty. Society has been down that road before, and it’s self-destructive.
That’s cool that you care about those things.
That must be the only cool thing about me.
Aren’t you a self-proclaimed gothic?
I am as gothic as the midnight blade. What?
Why don’t you live in San Francisco or New York or someplace cool?
Those are cool places, and it would be rad to be closer to that, but I don’t really think of it that way. I just like to do my own thing, and hang out with my wife. I think that it is good for me to be disconnected from the art scene at large. No one really knows or cares what I am doing [laughs].
If you only knew.
It is cool to see that so many people have found appreciation for my art and respect what I work on. I am happy with my art and who is thankful for it. This has been a funfest.
Do you want to talk about politics or skateboarding?
Definitely skateboarding. I am no backseat driver.
Do you still skate?
Yeah, in fact I have been skating a lot lately. It haunts me, really. I’m not good anymore, and I’m generally scared to try new things now, but I will hopefully be skating till I rot.
Who do you respect?
Best skaters in my opinion? Brian Anderson and Leo Romero. I have always liked Barbee, Jason Jesse, Hosoi, Natas Kaupaus, some of the I Path crew. Oh, and Cards. He’s so fast. And I love watching Pastras, Gonz, and Tommy Guerrero skate. Lately, I have been way stoked on Omar Salazar and Shiloh Greathouse. Dudes amazing! That’s my list. I miss the crew I grew up skating with, too. My buddy Aaron and his older brother JP were the ones that I spent most of my life skating with. And in high school & college I skated with a group of kids that were a blast. Then, we all grew up and went different ways, but I always think about those times. I mostly skate alone now.
So, I hear that you are a music snob. What type of music do you allow to grace your compact disc rotator?
Music snob? [laughs]. I don’t think that I’m a music snob. I have just always been into music. I like a lot of stuff, and I am always purchasing new albums.
Vinyl or mp3?
I am a typical turntable nerd, I guess. For me, it will always be about owning the album.
Do you have an iPod? All of the electrobohemian hipsters are into the mp3 player scene.
What’s an iPod?
It’s one of those electronic gadgets that play music files.
Never heard of it. Like a floppy diskette? Sounds dumb.
[Laughs]
Who do you listen to?
Well, I don’t want to list names of stuff on my floppy disk or whatever, but I have always been into Sonic Youth. I like some of the Galaxia-Platform artists, too. I don’t know- I’m just into good sounds. We could wander off discussing music for hours.
So, who digs your art?
Nobody.
I do.
Thanks.
Any last words or gratitude?
I should say thanks to everyone for all of the support. I appreciate everyone who has purchased my work, or even just written me saying they value my work, and everyone who has been cool. My wife has been very patient, and my friends very helpful. Bye.
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2 Responses to “Random Interview: Kelly Dee Williams”
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thats some tight shit. kelley williams dos some gnarly stuff.
Some of the links isnt workinG? alphatibet i think is suppised to Be kellydwilliams.com great interview, tooo