William Fice (b. 1999) graduated in 2020 from Leeds Arts University with BA (Hons). After a series of group exhibitions, he had his first solo exhibition with Patrick Davies Contemporary Art in 2021 and has since been recognised as an emerging artist to watch, featuring on Artsy’s ‘In demand works’ and The Guardian. Originally from Redhill, Surrey, he descends from a non-creative background and now lives and works in Leeds where he continues to develop his practice.
William's work explores the liminal space between adolescence and adulthood. Young men are captured and rendered in paint through direct; intensely saturated washes of colour, opening the door to an altered world in which his figures inhabit with richness and purpose. Gathering source material from Instagram, group chats between friends where photos have been exchanged, as well as his own experiences and observations; Will’s representation eventually finds itself between the peripherals of the real and the imaginary. A sense of ambiguity fuels his images. Imagined elements are carefully placed, duplicated and moulded into compositions; establishing and framing a narrative that brings to question the viewers perception.
Education
Exhibitions
Leeds Arts University
BA (Hons) Fine Art. 2017-2020
Yeah man fairs - Lamberts Yard - Leeds - 2018
Release - Wharf Chambers - Leeds - 2018
Fine wine and conversation - The pigeon, Camberwell - London – 2019
Bologneology – Hyde Park Book Club – Leeds - 2019
Untilted – Online degree show - Leeds Arts University – 2020
The SHIM/Bachelors Show – online group show – SHIM Art Network – Artsy - 2020
Resilience – group show - Coles Gallery – Leeds - 2020
Waiting Room – solo online show – Patrick Davies Contemporary Art - 2021
Interviews and Publications
Artsy - 10 In demand works on Artsy this week. (2020)
The Guardian - Student artists exhibit their final shows online – in pictures (2020)
Solo Magazine issue 2. (2020) Solo Projects London.
TSDAP New Graduates – 2020 Edition Catalogue (2021) The Social Distance Art Project.
Patrick Davies Contemporary Art - In conversation with Patrick Davies (2021)