Information and comments on work and past exhibitions
Biography
Ian Williams is fifty ( although feels twenty-one!) and formally worked as a Senior Manager for the NHS, although his original ambition was to teach English and Drama.
He has been indulging in the rather solitary occupation of writing poetry on and off for most of his life; originally inspired by the Liverpool - Mersey “Beat” poets of the sixties and seventies. He writes in a variety of styles and on a variety of subjects, but enjoys most writing about people. He draws inspiration from what goes on around him, his friends and his own feelings and emotions.
He would like to help explode the rather rarefied and highbrow image often associated with poetry. He is particularly keen to move poetry out of the traditional book setting and make it more accessible and relevant to people in an everyday context. He is keen open it up as a fun activity for both young and old, helping them both explore the world around them as well as the words and feelings. In recent times he has been experimenting with joint poetry and photographic displays.
Ian was the winner of the 2010 Tyneside Cinema Lyrical Slam Competition.
Recent art work items:
2006 – “Seeing In Colour” (Joint) – Art at No,1 Tynemouth
A joint exhibition of three artists, incorporating printmaking, poetry and photography. Focusing on the use of colour. Images include abstract printmaking, rural and urban landscapes and landscape photography looking at both familiar and unfamiliar locations, captivating mood in early morning and evening shots. A series of poetry depicting the emotions associated with colour.
2007 – “Ebb and Flow” – part of the “Northumbrian Fusion” exhibition. (Joint). Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick.
A joint exhibition, with two other photographic artists, displaying landscapes of Northumberland and other items. Ebb and Flow was a joint photographic/ poetry exhibition. Poems reflecting the images as well as the emotions and people that Ian meets in his daily life.
Visitor comments:
“Wonderful poetry”
“Ian Williams just captures “life”.
“A really interesting and enjoyable time.”
2008 – “Ebb and Flow” (Solo). Durham and Houghall College, Co Durham.
Taking the solo element of the Northumbrian Fusion exhibition to County Durham.
Visitors comments:
“Beautiful pictures, love the poetry. Excellent.”
“Very professional photos and poetry – lovely”
“Thought provoking”
2008 – “The writing is on the wall” (Solo). Belford Craft Gallery, Northumberland.
A further selection of poetry and photographic images depicting the local landscape. Including a poem written on a walking stick!
Visitors comments:
“Brilliant photography. Poetry moving/funny/ amusing/ thought provoking”
“Poetry with which you can identify with – lovely!
“So pleasant and not esoteric”
“What a pleasure to see this”
2008 – “Crossed lines” (Solo). The Robson Gallery, Selkirk, Scottish Borders.
Images from across the borders of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. A further collection of poetry depicting life and its day-to-day challenges, emotions and romance – highlighting the humour and pathos of life in general.
Visitors comments:
“Was delighted to read your poems and see your gorgeous photographs
“Touched and amused by your insights into life in general.”
“I was lucky enough to buy the very last copy of your book. It is great to dip into. Even though I don't consider my self to be much of a poetry reader they seem to hit the spot.”
“Thank you for providing such an enjoyable afternoon”
2010 – “Scene and Heard.” (Solo)
•Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, Scottish Borders. - May/ June 2010.
•Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick, Northumberland. - September 2010.
Visitor Comments:
"Poems with which most mortals can identify with - Bravo!"
"Could really relate to your poetry, I shall enjoy reading more at home"
"Great poems and photos. Particularly loved "Innocent" - should be in every anthology"
"Super work, both poetry and photographs. Well done"
2011 - "SHORElines"
Darlington Arts Centre.
Joint exhibition with Nigel Lowder, Northumberland based photgrapher.
Visitor Comments:
"Yesterday I viewed your exhibition in the Glass Corridor at Darlington Arts Centre. I particularly liked the poetry."
"Such an enjoyable experience visiting your exhibition at Darlington. Bought your poetry book."
Formal Qualifications:
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Sunderland
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management – University of Sunderland
• Registered Mental Nurse. - Lancaster
• ENB 603 – Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. – Newcastle
• City and Guilds 7307 – Further Education Teaching certificate.
Publications:
• Sneaky Poo: A guide to encopresis in Children. Ian Williams / Yvonne Wright
• Lost in the Mists of Mind: A collection of 45 poems. Ian Williams.
Ambitions.
I want to extend the use of these artistic techniques into a more mainstream environment and encourage many more people to consider art in a wider context and explore both their surroundings and emotions in everyday life. I also want people to look at their locality in a different light and consider the changing moods and patterns of the landscapes that they live in.
Personally, I want to extend and develop both my poetry and photography and engage with the public at large as a way of developing a discourse about the images I present and the emotions and feelings contained within my poetry.
In recent years, I have been developing the performance side of my work, bringing out both the humour and emotion of my work and engaging directly with an audience. I have developed a 45 minute programme that brings together a range of my verse in an entertaining and passionate way.
Ian Williams is fifty ( although feels twenty-one!) and formally worked as a Senior Manager for the NHS, although his original ambition was to teach English and Drama.
He has been indulging in the rather solitary occupation of writing poetry on and off for most of his life; originally inspired by the Liverpool - Mersey “Beat” poets of the sixties and seventies. He writes in a variety of styles and on a variety of subjects, but enjoys most writing about people. He draws inspiration from what goes on around him, his friends and his own feelings and emotions.
He would like to help explode the rather rarefied and highbrow image often associated with poetry. He is particularly keen to move poetry out of the traditional book setting and make it more accessible and relevant to people in an everyday context. He is keen open it up as a fun activity for both young and old, helping them both explore the world around them as well as the words and feelings. In recent times he has been experimenting with joint poetry and photographic displays.
Ian was the winner of the 2010 Tyneside Cinema Lyrical Slam Competition.
Recent art work items:
2006 – “Seeing In Colour” (Joint) – Art at No,1 Tynemouth
A joint exhibition of three artists, incorporating printmaking, poetry and photography. Focusing on the use of colour. Images include abstract printmaking, rural and urban landscapes and landscape photography looking at both familiar and unfamiliar locations, captivating mood in early morning and evening shots. A series of poetry depicting the emotions associated with colour.
2007 – “Ebb and Flow” – part of the “Northumbrian Fusion” exhibition. (Joint). Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick.
A joint exhibition, with two other photographic artists, displaying landscapes of Northumberland and other items. Ebb and Flow was a joint photographic/ poetry exhibition. Poems reflecting the images as well as the emotions and people that Ian meets in his daily life.
Visitor comments:
“Wonderful poetry”
“Ian Williams just captures “life”.
“A really interesting and enjoyable time.”
2008 – “Ebb and Flow” (Solo). Durham and Houghall College, Co Durham.
Taking the solo element of the Northumbrian Fusion exhibition to County Durham.
Visitors comments:
“Beautiful pictures, love the poetry. Excellent.”
“Very professional photos and poetry – lovely”
“Thought provoking”
2008 – “The writing is on the wall” (Solo). Belford Craft Gallery, Northumberland.
A further selection of poetry and photographic images depicting the local landscape. Including a poem written on a walking stick!
Visitors comments:
“Brilliant photography. Poetry moving/funny/ amusing/ thought provoking”
“Poetry with which you can identify with – lovely!
“So pleasant and not esoteric”
“What a pleasure to see this”
2008 – “Crossed lines” (Solo). The Robson Gallery, Selkirk, Scottish Borders.
Images from across the borders of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. A further collection of poetry depicting life and its day-to-day challenges, emotions and romance – highlighting the humour and pathos of life in general.
Visitors comments:
“Was delighted to read your poems and see your gorgeous photographs
“Touched and amused by your insights into life in general.”
“I was lucky enough to buy the very last copy of your book. It is great to dip into. Even though I don't consider my self to be much of a poetry reader they seem to hit the spot.”
“Thank you for providing such an enjoyable afternoon”
2010 – “Scene and Heard.” (Solo)
•Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, Scottish Borders. - May/ June 2010.
•Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick, Northumberland. - September 2010.
Visitor Comments:
"Poems with which most mortals can identify with - Bravo!"
"Could really relate to your poetry, I shall enjoy reading more at home"
"Great poems and photos. Particularly loved "Innocent" - should be in every anthology"
"Super work, both poetry and photographs. Well done"
2011 - "SHORElines"
Darlington Arts Centre.
Joint exhibition with Nigel Lowder, Northumberland based photgrapher.
Visitor Comments:
"Yesterday I viewed your exhibition in the Glass Corridor at Darlington Arts Centre. I particularly liked the poetry."
"Such an enjoyable experience visiting your exhibition at Darlington. Bought your poetry book."
Formal Qualifications:
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Sunderland
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management – University of Sunderland
• Registered Mental Nurse. - Lancaster
• ENB 603 – Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing. – Newcastle
• City and Guilds 7307 – Further Education Teaching certificate.
Publications:
• Sneaky Poo: A guide to encopresis in Children. Ian Williams / Yvonne Wright
• Lost in the Mists of Mind: A collection of 45 poems. Ian Williams.
Ambitions.
I want to extend the use of these artistic techniques into a more mainstream environment and encourage many more people to consider art in a wider context and explore both their surroundings and emotions in everyday life. I also want people to look at their locality in a different light and consider the changing moods and patterns of the landscapes that they live in.
Personally, I want to extend and develop both my poetry and photography and engage with the public at large as a way of developing a discourse about the images I present and the emotions and feelings contained within my poetry.
In recent years, I have been developing the performance side of my work, bringing out both the humour and emotion of my work and engaging directly with an audience. I have developed a 45 minute programme that brings together a range of my verse in an entertaining and passionate way.