About the Artist

Vanessa Addison-Williams is a mixed media artist who enjoys using creative techniques in collage, painting and assemblage to explore the complexity of African American identity through history, and as it continues to evolve. Her work draws on a long tradition of African American artists who continue to innovate the art forms of collage and assemblage, such as Betye Saar, Romare Bearden, and Kara Walker.

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Addison-Williams's mixed media works often refer to specific historical events or movements in complex compositions. Her approach to her materials is to treat them like elements of language. Each scrap of newsprint, fragment of color, paint, fiber, or found object holds symbolic meaning and significance, building perceptions through layering to create works that address different aspects of contemporary urban life and identity.

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Addison-Williams is a native of Seaside, CA on the the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. She moved to Fresno, CA in 2002 where she currently resides with her husband and two sons. She is retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve after 26 years of honorable service and earned her BA and MA in Graphic Design and Studio Art from California State University, Fresno. She currently teaches computer art and graphic design courses at Fresno State and Clovis Community College. She enjoys sharing her works of art, crafts and design in exhibits, shows and events both locally in the Fresno community and abroad.