Herb Williams: Call of Couture
25 March - 15 April 2023
Herb Williams: Call of Couture

Dawson Cole Fine Art is pleased to announce an exhibition of new sculptures by Herb Williams on view March 25, 2023- April 15, 2023, at their Palm Desert Gallery.  An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Saturday, March 25, 5-7pm.

 
Herb Williams is a contemporary painter, sculptor, and printmaker known for his unique sculptures crafted from a myriad of Crayola crayons.  The show "Call of Couture" features ten works, both three dimensional and two dimensional, which highlight the convergence of fashion and art.  For the featured work in the show, "Pink Pawed Poodle", Williams uses pink, black and white crayons to create a sculpture that is both whimsical, yet embodies the breed's characteristic coat and stature. Williams' attention to detail shines through the skillful placement of crayons – some poised with pointed tips outward, others with flat ends outward – creating depth and texture. The strategic positioning of pointed crayons highlights the poodle's hips, tail, and paws, enhancing definition. Playful movement is ingeniously added with colored crayon tips dispersed throughout. This sculpture masterfully captures the essence of the poodle, evoking the sensation of a fluffy cloud-like presence brought to life through Williams' remarkable artistry and innovative use of materials. 
 
 An official sponsor of Fashion Week El Paseo 2023, the gallery dubuts "Call of Couture" with proceeds from sales to benefit the non-profit charity California Paws Rescue of Palm Springs ( https://californiapawsrescue.org/).  The Charity Founder,  Lori Weiner, will be attending the event and speaking on behalf of the non profit.  
 

The "Call of Couture" Wood Block Print:

As part of the exhbition, Herb Williams collaborated with famed printer Hatch in Nashville, TN.  Nashville has a rich history and a distinctive visual language rooted in the tradition of hand-posted bills, printed on small posters to promote music shows. At the heart of this tradition is Hatch Show Print, a legendary local printing press that has trained many of the finest artists in the craft of letterpress. Using woodblock letters and symbols, Hatch posters are as iconic as the music they promote. Some of their woodblocks are over 125 years old, creating a direct link to the past. Imagine Taylor Swift or Coldplay performing at the Ryman Auditorium (the "Mother Church of Country Music" and arguably the best venue to experience live music) and having a show poster printed using the same blocks that once advertised concerts for Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, or Elvis Presley.

These posters are more than just memorabilia—they’re collector's items, especially when signed by the artist or band. The tactile feel of the raised ink and the hand-embellished details make them irreplaceable in today’s digital world. Each printmaker brings their own style to the craft, and over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of collecting a dozen different posters from various artists. One of my most cherished is the "Call of Couture" poster, created by my favorite letterpress artist, Brad Vetter, who opened his own press in Lexington, KY after more than a decade of honing his skills at Hatch.

 
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