Daily Inspiration: Meet Cydney Williams

Upon my return, I was granted a residency at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. There I worked on my paintings and started to seriously explore my studio practice for the next two years. During this time, Covid protocols were the highest priority, and all my paid employment was lost. Financially relying on just my artwork for survival left me crippled with pressure and uncertainty.

Needing a change, I moved to New Mexico with my now fiancé. I worked in a live/work studio 20 mins from Santa Fe, NM, and focused on making. The cost of New Mexico was much more affordable in comparison to life in NYC and offered me the space to focus. While in New Mexico, I was offered a gig to teach and open a pop-up arts educational studio for five weeks in LA.

The teaching gig also allowed me the opportunity to show my work that I have been making in New Mexico at the Million Dollar Theater in DTLA in June 2022. With the intention of moving back to New Mexico we learned our lease had fallen through, and upon coming home from the studio the day we found out my partner and I at virtually the same time both decided to start looking for leases in LA. I now live and work in Culver City, CA.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has always been smooth enough granting me moments of perspective or opportunity when I feel lost. In that sense, I have enough trust for what is next and what is meant for me to follow my path. At the same time, of course, there are struggles along the way. During the pandemic, losing all of my income at once and not being able to access my studio at my residency was a lesson in privilege and control. My parents kindly took me in and surrendering to what is next has now just become a way of life. There has been months where I would make my rent selling paintings to someone I just met. Everything is fluid, and I have been very fortunate overall. I try not to think of where I should be and embrace what is happening with gratitude.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in feminist paintings, but not in an overtly obvious way. I like to paint natural scenes. To compare the vulnerability of nature to the vulnerability of womanhood. I believe the act of painting and taking up space is a birthright. Nature needs to take up space and so do women.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Culver City. I love living in a place that values artists and art. The public art is inspiring when strolling around. I also love the ocean. I have learned to surf since moving to LA. Of course, spending most of my formative years in or adjacent to NYC, I miss the subway. I also miss my family not being near.