1950 – , Kentucky
LaVon Van Williams was born in Lakeland, Florida and is a fifth generation wood carver. Believing in and carrying on tradition, in both a familial as well as a historical sense, is a major factor in the creation of LaVon’s sculptures.
The hand-carved wood figures and panels display the techniques of traditional low relief African carvings that were passed on to him by family members. The sculptures utilize a flat space with an emphasis on the contour that simplifies compositions that are further enriched by color, rhythm, and dynamic form.
His narrative and figurative images portray individuals, social issues, and scenes from the realm of African-American life: jazz musicians, dancing couples, church-going ladies and gentlemen – they all seem to be depictions of real people transformed into powerful icons by LaVon’s hands.
“My work deals with social realism and the American experience. I work from my imagination, combining African and American art forms. African American art is passed from one generation to the next. Those who can truly teach it are slowly passing away.”
A physically huge man (LaVon played for the 1977 NCAA Basketball champions University of Kentucky) his large hands and feet are reflected in his sculptures.