Rose L. Williams is a Canadian visual Artist and Photographer of Caribbean heritage who lives and works in Vancouver, Canada.

Williams explores, collects and photographs materials present in the natural and built environment. Gathered leaves, textiles and found elements are transformed into botanical prints, collages and mixed media paintings. Williams creates authentic organic dyes, which are then applied onto various textiles which all speak to the tangible and intangible psycho-geography of place. She embraces duality and hybridity as an essential part of her art-making process and practice, creating between Trinidad & Tobago and Canada throughout her entire career. 

The convergences between healing and creativity; habitat conservation and botanical remedies; history, legacy and the transformation of trauma contextualize Williams’ art practice. Inspired throughout her career by the concepts of Magical Realism, Biophilia popularized by Dr. David Suzuki and environmental sustainability initiatives by Dr. Jane Goodall, Rose L. Williams observes and examines the intricacies of the natural and supernatural worlds, as well as the human-nature connections there present, across photography, painting, printmaking and textiles in her most recent work.

Rose earned her diploma in Painting and Printmaking at the University of the Fraser Valley. She is an alumna of the Langara College Expressive Arts Therapy program and BFA graduate of Emily Carr University of Art & Design. 

Williams’ work has been included in numerous collections & exhibitions including the 2010 Winter Olympics Cultural Olympiad. 

Earth Day April 22 2024 Infinite Wanderings (Solo Exhibition, The Loftt Gallery, Port of Spain. Summer 2024 she was a participant in Caribbean Contemporary: Rhythms from the Edge, represented by UNIT London Art Gallery (London). In 2023, she participated in the Atlantic World Art Fair, represented by Calabar Art Gallery (New York). Selected exhibitions in Canada include: Longing & Belonging (Sidney & Gertrude Zack Gallery, BC, 2022), Displacement (Vancouver, 2019),  I Shall Be Happy (Pendulum, BC 2015).

Statement:

“I am inspired by intimate encounters with plants & animals, and identify with their fragility, resilience and evanescence. As a BIPOC woman I navigate complex social spaces. As an artist with a disability, my journey explores the strength in vulnerability. When you feel trapped in your own body, Art made in partnership with Nature brings a sense of freedom and grace.”