Alchemy Art Center, Summer 2025
The Tide is Turning
The Tide is Turning was the final show of the artist residency at Alchemy Art Center, done in collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Evie Hidysmith. I was creating during a time of abundant transformation in many areas of my life, including my first step into the world of figurative sculpting. My pieces in this show express yearning, holding, stillness, and movement.
Over the past few years, I have been propelled by an at times desperate search for connection with those who have come before me, attempting to understand how my ancestors were guided through hardship. I have learned different ways to grieve, different ways of holding my pain and joy, and different ways of loving. I have learned to listen. Most of the figures I made during the residency appeared to me in times of stillness, and I am very grateful for the resources and opportunity I had to create as soon as I received inspiration. Portraiture has been central to my practice, which I continue to approach with varied art forms — in this instance photography, cyanotype, and figurative sculpture.
portraits of Kira and Evie, framed by driftwood
hostess, 2025. Kira Joy Williams and Evie Hidysmith. cyanotype on cotton, wool yarn, fabric, human hair, banana tree bark, bird feather.
tree portrait 1, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Digital print of 35mm film photograph, 13 x 19 in
tree portrait 2, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Digital print of 35mm film photograph, 13 x 19 in
so you can bloom, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built greenware ceramic, red and black iron oxide, blue underglaze, sweet pea flowers, moss
so you can bloom, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built greenware ceramic, red and black iron oxide, blue underglaze, sweet pea flowers, moss
so you can bloom, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built greenware ceramic, red and black iron oxide, blue underglaze, sweet pea flowers, moss
so you can bloom, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built greenware ceramic, red and black iron oxide, blue underglaze, sweet pea flowers, moss
submerging, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built glazed ceramic, red and black iron oxide, 6 x 4 x 5.75 in
show me who you are, an incantation, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built glazed ceramic, red and black iron oxide, 5.5 x 6 x 7.5 in
sun gazer, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built glazed ceramic, cobalt oxide, approx measurements 13 x 10 x 7.5 in
water birth, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built glazed ceramic, cobalt oxide, 13.5 x 2 x 13.5 in
altar featuring water birth piece
rising, 2025. Kira Joy Williams. Hand built glazed ceramic, red and black iron oxide, 13.5 x 9 x 14.5 in
evie and me with our sign and my cyanotype in the background!
evie and me with our collaborative piece
