Just back from the Venice Biennale and among my favorite exhibits was Milton Willliams whimsical and evocative installation for the Grenada Pavilion, built from his collection of sardine tins. See Williams’ statement below.
It was chosen by Boat International as one of four BEST MARINE THEMED ARTWORK FROM THE VENICE BIENNALE 2017.
Milton Williams’ exhibition in the Grenada Pavilion is based around the idea of collecting. His installations are made up of everyday objects he has found whilst travelling around the world.
At the Biennale, the artist is presenting his collection of over one hundred sardine tins. Each one is suspended from the ceiling, creating a shimmering, multi-coloured cloud.
The sardine tins were collected by Williams and have come from across the globe, the artist also asked friends, family and even Facebook followers to send their empty tins to feature in the exhibition.
ARTIST STATEMENT: MILTON WILLIAMS
b. 1955 Grenada lives Grenada
My art practice is one of collection. I am inspired by the seemingly mundane things critical to our being and existence, and by the universal need to be free.
Making art is one active way of liberating my creative mind and imaginings. It is a path for me to present my experiences and observations in a form that invite critical insight from outside; insight that contributes to my own growth. The , gathering, creating and completion of each work, frees me a little more, to see new possibilities in art, as I travel around our world.
The installation of my collection “Sustenance” emerged from the recognition of the creative work done by combined manufacturers, marketers and artists around the world, to attract their audience. The variety of their lure, informed by the language, culture and colour choices caught my eye.
The display of the sardine tin lids also makes a statement as to the globalisation of food. With the current political climate of world powers, will protectionism and isolationism halt the back and forth of goods, in a way that the oceans never will. The many collaborators in the physical collection and gifting of the lids including co-workers, friends, and family, make a social statement of our world-wide interaction, despite the dismal pronouncements and threats of tariffs of the current times. It is a statement of resistance.
Of note is the placement of each piece of this work, together, allowing continuous movement as if endlessly connecting oceans. The availability of the material allows the viewer to easily access their own inner artist.
Repeating Islands 
Thanks for taking note of Milton Williams at the Grenada Pavilion at the 57th Biennale di Venezia. We are very proud of his work. He is a true Caribbean Man.
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Milton’s work is unburdened by political and social constructs and speaks to the ubiquity of the human experience.
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Milton Williams’s very strong & imaginative artistic skill is manifested here in this exquisite depiction of ‘Sardine Cans’.. almost like in memory of our Grenadian childhood staple!
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