Austin Clay Willis
Autumn Hair, 2025
MDF, plywood, aluminum, nightlight bulbs, E12 candelabra bases, stranded wire, steel, toggle switch, cloth covered lamp wire, heavy duty yellow plug
5 x 13 x 17 inches
 
This lamp situates materials together in order to place emphasis on its own construction. Instead of hiding the candelabra bases, the wires, and the switch, this lamp embraces them and turns them into features of the piece. The work offers a quirky and comedic, yet warm sensibility—leaning into DIY builds and vernacular styles.
 
Austin received his MFA at the School of Visual Arts (2025) and his Bachelors in Visual Art from the University of Victoria in British Columbia (2020). Over the past few years, he has participated in shows at Latchkey Gallery (NY), John St Gallery (NY), Colbo (NY), Sweetpea Gallery (Victoria, Canada), Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art (Kelowna, Canada), 1190 Queen St (Toronto, Canada), and 4x4 on 5th (Vancouver, Canada).
 
Photo by Aaron S Cheung, Esto.