Contemporary Geometric Beadwork

Biography

Nico Williams is a beadwork artist who resides in Montréal, Quebec. He is Anishinaabe, from Aamjiwnaang “where the water flows spiritually like a braid.” Williams began experimenting with beadwork in 2015 using Japanese glass delicas, natural materials and seed beads. His use of beads explores a variety of Ojibwe fancy craft-work practices and he is actively focused on encouraging the revitalization and evolution of traditional Ojibwe fine crafts. The beadwork he creates, like fine art, responds to the artists’ environment. It is a deep reflection of love and respect for the beauty and rich visual treasures in nature. Nico decided to go into beadwork because of a dream. One night, he dreamed that he was looking at an exhibit of big beautiful glass beaded shapes, images and culture. He was old in the dream. When he asked who made the work, a voice from behind him said, "you did." He started beading the next day, and has been at it for almost five years now.

Looks

About the look

Our Thoughts Have Geometry

Beads and thread

2019

Triangles are assembled from simple three-bead starts and grow into connected tetrahhedral faces. Each of these triangles was beaded by a different artist under the direction of Nico Williams. Participants were from Yukon, BC, Ontario, the prairies, and Quebec. Our thoughts move outward and remain ephemeral as potential, or become intentions, and some become reality. In this way, the energy of our thoughts must have geometry. Other beaders who worked on this communal -Gon with Nico are: Craig Commanda Renee Condo Jackson Coyes Lèuli Eshraghi Mylène Guay Sam Guertin Whitney Horne Amanada Ibarra Cory Hunlin Caitlin McGuire Nadia Myre Scott Osborne Shelley Ouellet Wayne Robinson Amanda Roy Lydia Risi Nico Williams Kelsey Wilson Sage Wright