Jonathan Williams

 My series Shuck considers how folklore survives within contemporary practice. I discuss this using discreet pieces that share the same sense of agency. Within a contemporary interpretation the archetype of the black dog has transposed from otherworldly harbinger to a metaphor of bipolar depression and mental illness. Of importance is our human relation to this canine, of the anthropomorphic qualities we attribute to a ‘mans best friend'. Although silent, these figures communicate layers of meaning: the self-portrait, an estranged community and the greater concern for our human condition.

Development within my work has seen me reassess my approach to scale. My major influence has been a study trip to Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa. The 18th-century Italian memorial sculptures are renown for their highly detailed, life-like rendering.

Primary research has been­­ in the form of anatomical studies. This has taken a broad context, exploring the figure's social role through creative writing at Imperial College and in depth life drawing to understand human mechanics. This research has lead to my membership of the Belgian medical and biological art group, Biomab, undertaking research trips to study specimens at human and veterinary hospitals across Europe.