Lily Flo Williams’s debut solo show opened earlier this month at Brimscombe-based Studio 18.
Lily, who graduated from Winchester School of Art in 2020, has been involved with Studio 18 since 2019, where she first showcassed her work in their 25 and under exhibition.
Last year she was employed at the studio as an assistant to the director Zac Walsh, organising exhibitions, events, and workshops. She currently makes work from her studio in Painswick and has previously had work exhibited at The Nutshell Gallery in Winchester, and at the Tate Modern, London. Luna Polilla is her fourth time showing work at Studio 18, and her first solo exhibition.

“Studio 18 has had the pleasure to facilitate and mentor Lily over the past few years, culminating in a spectacular first solo show. It’s been a pleasure to see this artist grow and we hope it serves as an example of what the studio has to offer in the form of support and opportunities for our young artists here in Stroud.” said Zac.
Lily said: “This body of work is comprised primarily of paintings. The work is made up of surreal compositions which allow for the viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work. They’re atmospherically playful, colourful and have dreamlike qualities.

“Painting is a relatively new focus in my art practice, I only started using oils at the beginning of this year and I am really enjoying exploring the medium and the possibilities available to play with colour, texture, and composition.
“The process of creating these paintings has been creatively liberating. I’ve approached it in a far more organic and intuitive way than my previous work, letting the paintings evolve rather than trying to express any specific ideas. Despite this, there are still common themes and interests that come up.

“There’s often a sense of touch or tactility in the paintings, and I like there to be an element of playfulness in the work. I’m enjoying using a bright colour
palette.

“I have an aversion to using muted colours like accurate skin tones or shades of browns – so far, I keep on depicting all the humans and animals in my work in bright colours instead of their natural ones. This isn’t necessarily always a conscious decision, but more just what comes out when I start to paint.

“Having made this work over the summer I feel like I’m at the beginning of a larger body of work and I’m excited to continue my adventure within this brightly coloured exploration of my subconscious.”

The show is open at Studio 18 in Brimscombe, Thursday-Sunday, 1pm-7pm until 25 th September, Studio 18, Hope Mills Business Centre, Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2SE
www.realartsandmedia.com/studio-18
Lily is open to commissions; you can contact her via her email address
lilyflowilliams@gmail.com and see more of her work on her Instagram account: @lily.flo.williams