Amelia C. Williams describes art as simply “expression. It’s the way that I can best say how I’m feeling, freely.” When asked if part embodies contradictions, she answers: “No. I’d say the judgment of art does.” Amelia utilizes artistic expression to navigate tension and joy related to racial identity. “I create different characters that serve as vessels to express my true emotions, capturing unfiltered moments and experiences. Each character provides raw context, and the joy comes from releasing that energy.”
Her latest exhibit is The Lovebugs. “It’s a mixed media, abstract pop art project capturing unfiltered emotions and the stages of love, highlighting anxious attachment and the mental health struggles it amplifies. Acting as a journal, it documents raw feelings in real time, revealing how love and lust chemically affect us.” The initiative peeks into the intersection between cultural identity and love, partly inspired by her personal life. “Most of my major relationships have been interracial, and that dynamic has always had an impact. It’s challenging to explain your experiences to someone who may not fully understand or trust your perspective. When I briefly dated men of color, especially biracial Black men, I noticed I could let my guard down right away. There’s a shared understanding of how we navigate the world—a way of moving and receiving actions that needs to be deeply understood for a relationship to truly work.”
The project is also intended to celebrate the work of fellow BIPOC artists. “At the art shows I produce, I always involve local BIPOC artists to showcase their talent to a broader audience. Sharing the stage is important to me—creating space as a BIPOC artist feels incomplete without uplifting those around me.” The exhibit has reminded her to keep her flow. “I need to focus on my view point and remember that I’m doing this as a form of expression and release for myself and no one else. My favorite pieces, which are many, have come from me creating without thinking. I have to keep trusting the process!” This moment will reverberate four years to come. The Lovebugs Act III: Seeing Stars debuted last month will remain on display at Lotus Works Wellness through December 2024.
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Artist Amelia C. Williams Explores Cultural Identity and Love in New Exhibit, “The Lovebugs.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amelia C. Williams.
