Artworks

William Hawkins (1895-1990)

William Hawkins was a self-taught African-American artist, best known for his bold, thickly rendered paintings of animals, rural scenes, and more. Hawkins was born in Kentucky in 1895, and moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1916, where he spent the rest of his life. Hawkins lived eclectically, working several jobs as a truck driver, brothel manager, and more. He was married twice and claims to have fathered some 20 children. And though he spent the majority of his life drawing, he didn’t adopt his signature painting style until the mid 1970s, when he was about 80 years old. 

From that point on, Hawkins painted non-stop, despite growing illness and old age. 

Though Hawkins remained illiterate throughout his entire life, he drew inspiration from found photographs and magazines, from which he copied text and images in bright enamel paint. At times, Hawkins pasted his references directly onto his paintings, adding an element of intuitive mixed media to his work. Hawkins’ singular and deeply personal approach to his practice established him as a quintessential outsider artist. He painted until his death in 1990, following a stroke. Today, Hawkins' work continues to be featured in numerous exhibitions, publications, and galleries worldwide.