Ali M Williams: Philadelphia Mural Artist
In this interview, Philadelphia based artist Ali M Williams shares her creative journey. From assisting with public murals while working towards her BFA, to taking on a wide range of mural projects around the city, Ali provides us with a peek into the daily life of a mural artist.
Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I grew up in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, a rural town without a lot of kids my age until I started grade school. So, I was really imaginative which probably fueled my creativity and artistic path. In high school, art was the only subject that didn’t cause me stress. Academically, it was the one thing I felt I was good at. Fortunately, I had a lot of support and encouragement from my family to pursue art professionally. Art school was the next logical step for me because there was truly nothing else I could see myself doing.
When did you begin working on murals, and what inspired you to enter this field?
When I was in art school, I created my own internship opportunity to assist with public murals in my city with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. At the time, internships were not required or offered to Fine Art Majors at my school. I had no idea what I would do once I graduated and how to find success as an artist. I felt the only direction that was discussed and pushed by professors was this limited old-school MENtality; prestigious gallery representation. Through assisting these muralists, I saw the impact their work had on the community. Not only were they creating huge inspiring work that was accessible to the public, but they were making money and having fun doing it. I saw a future life for myself that was opposite of the struggling artist visual that had been presented to me.
The first mural I designed was at a methadone clinic. I worked along-side a group of women from the group and later helped one of the women create her own mural. I can’t even describe how amazing it felt to have that connection with that community and to be able to accomplish that through my art. After that, I knew that creating public work was my calling.
What challenges do you face as a muralist and how do you navigate your way through these obstacles?
Dealing with and handling rejection! There are so many different ways to land a mural job. If it’s not a referral situation where a client reaches out to you directly, that means you’re either writing proposals or submitting applications for mural calls. Chances are there are a lot of artists applying for the same gig, so it can be extremely competitive. Rejection is inevitable, and I have been rejected A LOT! It can be discouraging or frustrating especially since submissions and proposals take so long, but you can’t take it personally. You just have to know that it wasn’t a good fit, and there could be a million reasons why, but something better is around the corner. If you don’t apply, if you don’t try, if you don’t ask, the answer is always no. So you have to keep on!
Another challenge is knowing your worth and being confident with that. There are a lot of artists that will work for free or for “good exposure,” or charge such a small amount just to secure a job. That not only undercuts that artist, it collectively hurts artists in that same field. Under charging and doing work for free perpetuates this idea of the struggling/starving artist and devalues art. So, I try to be transparent with my pricing and encourage other artists to charge their worth as well - sometimes that includes a pep talk to myself to do the same!
How is your personal work different or similar from your work as a muralist?
I actually view a lot of my mural work as my personal work. Yes, my murals are funded through clients which means there is some compromising that takes place. But I’ve had so many opportunities the past couple of years to have full creative freedom, and that’s the work that stands out to me. I also consider my murals “fine art murals" (vs. signage, or logo work). This allows me to turn down work that doesn’t speak to my vision. Aside from murals, my personal work took a back seat for a long time because I was fully invested in establishing my mural business. It’s a tricky balance. My murals are super time consuming and extremely physical, which for a while sucked up any creative energy I had.
Recently, I’ve been playing around with collage work in my studio. To me, collage is instant gratification which is opposite of the mural process. It’s given me a chance to step away from painting and work differently without pressure and potential lingering self doubt over my artistic skill. The major difference is obvious, these things are very small and it’s a different medium. But even larger than that, is the fact that I keep these private for myself. I don’t even share them on instagram. I can be fiercely private, and public murals have in a way, helped me to open myself up - but it’s almost like a whole separate persona. They’re big, impactful, bold, and unavoidably visible. These collages are something I started doing to heal my relationship with my personal practice. And they’re for my eyes only.
Which artists have impacted your work?
Mark Rothko has always been a long-time favorite. While my work is completely opposite of his style, I was initially drawn to the physicality of his work. Standing in front of one of his paintings is a full on physical sensation. You become absorbed by the work. To me, that echoes my love for creating murals. I can have that same immersive experience while I’m painting murals. I often miss out on standing in front of my work at the end since I’m usually hustling to get out of there after the install, but the process is what gives me that same feeling.
Many artists I’m drawn to create work that is nothing like mine. Their work is either very small, oil, and intricate details that I personally don’t have the patience for, but it pushes me and challenges me, or it’s super abstract and fluid. My work sits somewhere in the middle of those two opposing styles.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has the current pandemic impacted your practice?
I’ve had a few mural projects going on during this pandemic! My mural process is a little different, I work off-site in my studio, and then attach the murals to the wall. Because of this I was able to continue working on projects safely in my own space. Some of those projects have yet to be installed until my clients are ready, or community engagement can take place, but a lot of production has happened!
I won’t sugarcoat it and say it’s been easy to have a regular studio practice during Covid though. It’s been a rough year, and that makes it difficult to stay focused and creatively inspired. As an artist, you can have a very solitary practice, and think that you’re thriving in that way. I initially thought this pandemic would be no different and that it gave me a leg up. I already worked for myself and from home, so how could this be different? But it was! The emotional toll was heavy. It was often hard to find the energy and the drive to push through and create. I work best with a deadline. If I don’t have an established deadline with a client, making one for myself helps me see projects through, even if it’s a personal project.
What are your greatest accomplishments as an artist thus far?
Through my public mural work I’ve been able to work with some really incredible organizations and people: The Mural Arts Program, Riverside Correctional Facility, The City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Twist Out Cancer, Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, and so many more. I have a project in the works with Morris Home that I’m excited about too! I’ve had the opportunity to partner with some huge brands and companies like Zappos, Primark, Nasdaq, The Wells Fargo Center, Marriott Hotels, etc.
It’s hard to pinpoint my greatest accomplishment, but I really am just so proud that I have successfully been able to create art full time while finding ways to serve my community. While it can be physically and emotionally exhausting, the process is so rewarding.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
I’m constantly dreaming up ways to expand and scale my business. I love serving communities through art and I’d like to continue that mission, and on a larger scale! When this pandemic is under control, I’d love to travel more with my public mural work. I also have courses and downloads I’m about to launch to help serve artists. So an immediate goal would be to have a successful launch and feel that I’m helping my creative community with my offerings!
Follow Ali on Instagram: @alimwilliams
Website: www.alimwilliams.com