Belle Williams / Gluttony

For my Thesis Exhibition, I focused on hand-beading, sewing (hand, machine, hand-embroidery, machine embroidery), weaving, and knitting. I explore the reality that life is both grotesque and beautiful, intertwining bodily and mental health with self-worth.

In my art, I delve into themes of femininity, the dark side of cute, body image, and the complex relationship between food and mental health. To investigate these themes, I often employ humor, colors (particularly pink and red), subjects traditionally associated with femininity, and art forms once considered domestic (such as quilting, weaving, and knitting), alongside grotesque imagery. My darker themes address eating and mood disorders, making my work deeply personal.

My Thesis Exhibition examines these themes' dark, gothic side, with the body represented as flesh, bruises, intestines, and death. It retains the playful and feminine elements of my earlier works but delves deeper into the inner workings of my mind. I aim to understand how my mental states growing up have influenced my present self.

I find art to be therapeutic, as it brings up aspects of myself that I try to hide, even from myself. I love exploring how art and the mind interact, as well as how you can express your inner turmoil through it. Fabric has a lot to do with the body, as quilts are known to keep the body warm. But what if you made them almost unusable? Fibers have always inspired me. Despite feeling limiting at times, they allow me to express myself freely. Beading, like much of fiber art, may seem confining, yet it offers endless textures and shapes to explore. You can create and convey so much with both small and large beads. Unlike painting or drawing, you need to gather or purchase a variety of supplies, plan meticulously, and deal with physical constraints, making the process methodical and time-consuming, often taking hours to achieve a small detail.

I discuss confronting and embracing the weakest parts of oneself, as well as exposing these vulnerable aspects to the elements. It’s all about stepping out of my comfort zone and overcoming fears. Much of the art carries a sense of melancholy, mourning, and anger, while also embodying a glimmer of hope at the end.

@belle._williams