Gerald Williams, a pivotal figure within the Africobra movement, is acclaimed for his vibrant and dynamic paintings that resonate with themes of Black pride and empowerment. With bold shapes, rich colors, and intricate patterns, his compositions exude energy and vitality, reflecting his background in graphic design. Williams' art serves as a visual narrative of the African American experience, often delving into topics of social justice, identity, and community. Through his work, he seeks to amplify the voices and stories of marginalized communities, promoting cultural visibility and significance. Williams' contributions to the art world extend beyond aesthetics; his commitment to challenging stereotypes and advocating for social change has cemented his legacy as a pioneering artist and activist within the African American art community.
Gerald Williams (b. 1941) is a founding member of AFRICOBRA, an influential Black Arts collective which formed on the South Side of Chicago in 1968. Williams made the move to Washington DC in 1974, attending Howard University as a graduate student. Experimenting further while maintaining continuity with AFRICOBRA ideals, Williams produced a number of freeform, hand-block silkscreens, including Emerge, Power and the Will to Prevail, and Big Payback Get Ready. These experimental works are a bridge between Williams's early artistic endeavors and the revelations he would have in subsequent years, while participating as a United States delegate to FESTAC 77, in Lagos, Nigeria, along with other members of AFRICOBRA; to his years in the Peace Corps working as Pre-vocational Director in the Jacaranda School for the Mentally Handicapped in Nairobi, Kenya; to his decades directing arts and crafts centers on American Air Force bases in Japan, Italy, South Korea, the Azores, and South Carolina.