ARTIST BIO

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is William Grant. I was born in Michigan and raised in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. I am a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. My art training began at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I studied graphic design, painting, sculpture and printmaking. My studies continued at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York where I studied architectural design. My employment history includes free-lance design and illustration, business ownership, teaching, lecturing and a position with the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) where I was the managing art director of the Corporate Design Department.

ARTIST STATEMENT

In developing a dialog for my landscapes and other subjects I have decided to avoid merely exemplifying conventional scenery or depicting inanimate objects. Instead I have worked in what I consider an unobtrusive manner, searching for an alternative perspective. In the process of creating, I have experienced my artwork oscillating back and forth between a utilitarian and an introspective meaning. It was my objective to place intimacy into the substance of my landscapers. I decided to work in a black and white pallet; and in so doing I have editorialized the unique and tenuous position the landscape inhabits. Indeed by working in black and white I have realized a dream-like perspective in the narrative landscapes. I also see the black and white images as an attempt to memorialize the fragile beauty of mankind's cradle.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

1999 - Present I am currently working at the research level for the degree of: Doctor of Art Education in The Teaching of Studio Art Education at the College Level. TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NY, NY.
1996 - 1998 MFA - Studio Arts RUTGERS UNIVERSITY NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ.
1994 - 1995 BFA - Advertising/Design SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, NY. NY.
1993 - 1994 AFA - 2 D Design/Printmaking INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ART, NM.
1988 - 1989 School of Architecture PRATT INSTITUTE, Brooklyn, NY.
1977 - 1979 Advertising and Design SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, NY, NY.

AWARDS

2000 THE SAMUEL TILDEN AWARD The National Arts Club.
1994 IAIA MUSEUM Founding Funders Recognition. 1993 IAIA INSTITUTE Purchase Award
1993 IAIA INSTITUTE Best in Show.
1983-1986 NBC - Annual Graphic Arts Exhibition Printing Excellence. NBC - BROADCAST DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION GOLD AWARD (Nominee) SILVER AWARD. NBC - BROADCAST DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION GOLD AWARD (Nominee). SILVER AWARD. NBC - Annual Graphic Arts Exhibition TYPE EXCELLENCE AWARD - GOLD AWARD (Nominee) Certificate of Excellence. NBC - TYPE DIRECTOR'S AWARD. NBC - BROADCASTERS PROMOTION AWARD - SILVER AWARD.

EXHIBITIONS

I am currently in an exhibition at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick, NJ, entitled, Transcultural New Jersey: "Crosscurrents in the Mainstream." My art work has been exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY, American Indian Community House Gallery, NY, NY. My art work has also been exhibited at PS-1 Gallery in Long Island City, NY, PBS-Channel 13 premiere of Great Performances: American Indian Dance Company, NY, NY, the New York City Theater Work Shop, NY, NY, the 843 Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, and an exhibit at the AICH Gallery entitled "Invisible People". I have also shown in the Augusta Savage Gallery of the University of Massachusetts, a one man show. The Flushing Council on the Arts, Flushing, NY, and the Institute of American Indian Art Museum Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Most Recently my work has been purchased to be installed in Grace Dodge Hall at Columbia University NY, NY. My work is included in the Albright-Knox collection. A copy of my work has been installed at the entrance display for the Smithsonian Institute, National Museum of the American Indian, NY, NY. The Institute of American Indian Art Museum has 16 pieces of my work in its permanent collection. My work is in the State of New Jersey Art collection as well as a number of private collections.