Image: Courtesty of Phillips
Robin F. Williams’Kool-Aid Sippersold for $76,200 at Phillips Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale, Afternoon Session on May 14, 2025, in New York City. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Williams’ grandmother encouraged her to take art lessons at age five. After completing her studies at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, R.I., Williams made her way to New York City, where she’s been based ever since.
The female figure is front and center in nearly all of Williams’ works, as she challenges societal stereotypes and expectations, particularly around the traditional representation of women. She finds inspiration in social media, cinema and Pop culture, often referencing these sources through reanimations with an innovative touch. She achieves her bold, contemporary compositions by using a mix of oil, acrylic and spray paint. Williams’ subjects, which she says are sometimes depicted as being aware that they’re inside the painting, are always thought-provoking and fodder for conversation, whether it’s her horror film-inspired gouaches of bloodied women or paintings tackling climate awareness.
In a full circle moment, last year, The Columbus Museum of Art presented the first solo institutional exhibition of her work. The show featured work from a 17-year timeframe, encompassing recurring themes including the body, gender and identity expression, digital trends and artificial intelligence, folklore and the supernatural, as well as Williams’ growth as an artist.
Some of our other favorites, from Phillips Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale, Afternoon Session on May 14, 2025 in New York City, appear throughout the issue.
