October Gallery presents a solo exhibition of Aubrey Williams, showcasing a curated selection of significant paintings from the 1960s to the 1980s. This exhibition delves into Williams’ distinctive painterly techniques, highlighting his individual approach to abstraction. Drawing inspiration from influential artists such as Arshile Gorky—an Abstract Expressionist pioneer—and Wifredo Lam, known for incorporating African motifs and Afro-Caribbean culture, Williams’ work also resonates with the energetic abstraction of the New York School.
Williams’ paintings stand out as a uniquely evolved expression of abstraction, making a powerful contribution to post-war art. His intuitive mastery of colour and form is evident throughout the exhibition, with works exploring themes of ecology, cosmology, music, and pre-colonial civilizations. Pieces like Sun and Earth IV (1963) exemplify his ability to fuse lyrical form and luminous colour, while his admiration for composer Dmitri Shostakovich inspired the “feeling colour” series—interpretations of symphonies and quartets, represented here by Quartet No 5, opus 92 (1981). Large-scale works such as Time and the Elements (1985) further demonstrate Williams’ skillful use of soft-edged boundaries and expressive colour.
Art critic and curator Mel Gooding remarked that Williams’ depiction of natural dynamics became a signature element of his highly personal style. Williams’ importance to 20th-century British art is increasingly recognized, with recent international exhibitions and a dedicated room at Tate Britain during their 2023–2024 rehang of British art. Following his inclusion in The Earth Will Open Its Mouth at the Museum Sztuki in Lodz, Poland, Williams is currently featured in Feeling Color: Aubrey Williams and Frank Bowling at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas.
In 2024, the Paul Mellon Centre published Aubrey Williams: Art, Histories, Futures—the first major monograph on the artist. Edited by Ian Dudley and Maridowa Williams, with contributions from Alex Farquharson and Kobena Mercer, the book explores Williams’ expansive vision and his connections across Caribbean, British, and Atlantic histories. The monograph is available for order on the October Gallery website and for purchase at the gallery for £40.
This solo exhibition runs from 22 May – 26 July, 2025 at October Gallery, London. Visit the gallery website for further information on the show and the upcoming film screening: Mark of the Hand, Aubrey Williams (1987) on Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025.
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