WILLIAM NELSON

William Nelson is an artist whose dynamic paintings combine hyper-realistic depictions of famous film scenes with faithful renderings of popular comic book and cartoon characters. Through these imaginative combinations, Nelson weaves together new narratives that explore themes of identity and worth.

 

For instance, in Bob and Jacques (2019), Spongebob Squarepants and Jacques Cousteau share a pipe, while Harp and Soul (2021) features Louis Armstrong and Mr. Earbrass from Edward Gorey's stories performing a surreal duet. Belted by Gamma Rays (2020) depicts Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck being pursued by The Incredible Hulk, bringing together seemingly disparate characters and storylines. Nelson's work plays with contrasts between realistic and cartoonish styles, as well as black and white and bold colors, highlighting the tension between these worlds while also revealing unexpected connections. The result is a surreal and captivating fusion of imagery.