The Introducing Series, an initiative that creates a platform for emerging artists to be formally introduced by an advocate of their art and future career. Twice a month a new artist will be presented by their champion and will have an exemplary piece of work exhibited at The Window at 125.

 WILLIAM BOLTON

Introduced by Katie Albert

The Window at 125: Introducing William Bolton from Roger Smith Hotel on Vimeo.

William Bolton’s paintings and drawings are frequently centered on themes of war, religion, and doubt. Having recently discovered a series of correspondences written in the early 1930s between Freud and Einstein on the subject of how to end war, Bolton has chosen to present an installation in The Window at 125 that explores the resulting shift in his views on non-violence and on war.

“Surviving as an artist in New York City can be a challenging and stressful enterprise.  When I was invited to introduce an emerging artist by Danika Druttman I immediately scrolled through the many talented and deserving artists I have the great fortune to know here; artists that work passionately and with great dedication in the relative obscurity of their studios.  And then I thought of the one I admire and respect the most. 

I have chosen to introduce my husband William Burnside Bolton. As an artist, Bill has always pushed himself past the boundaries of his comfort and has never allowed his work to repeat predictably.  He has never preoccupied himself with thoughts of how he fits into the “art market”.  He reads, he thinks, he gathers information and then re-charts his own course. He commits to this approach over and over.  Quite simply, Bill is truly the bravest artist I know.”

-Katie Albert Bolton

William Bolton was born in Columbia, SC and earned a BFA in painting from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC in 2001. He was a founding member of the non- profit Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston, SC and in 2004 he moved to New York City to attend graduate school. Bolton earned a MFA from the New York Academy of Art in 2006 and upon graduation, was awarded a one-year fellowship at the school.  He has participated in numerous group shows in New York and had a solo show at Farm Project Space and Gallery in Wellfleet, MA. Bolton lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

Katie Albert currently serves as an independent consultant to arts organizations and private clients, offering creative guidance for marketing strategies and development, and specializing in emerging contemporary artists. Previously she worked in documentary and film production in Boston, MA, before producing special events at the Tribeca Film Festival for three years.  Most recently she served as director of exhibitions, events and marketing of the New York Academy of Art. It was during her five years in that position that she discovered a deeper love of art, and of artists.  In fact, she loves artists so much she married one.

In Conversation with William Bolton at The Window at 125 [A Roger Smith Special Project] from Roger Smith Hotel on Vimeo.

This piece will occupy The Window at 125 from December 10-January 7th 2013

To accompany the work in the window space, a celebration of each artist and the formal introduction will take place in the form of a conversation between the champion and artist. They are posted in its entirety every two weeks on rogersmithlife.com. For more information visit www.rogersmithlife.com or email Danika Druttman at danika@rogersmith.com.