Weldon, is an master artist originally from Philadelphia, and moved to Seattle in 1973 to be closer to his mentor Jacob Lawrence.

Weldon Butler’s work is in permanent collections of the Seattle Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, University of Delaware Museum, Brandywine Workshop, Safeco Insurance, City of Seattle, Seattle University, University of Washington Medical Center, Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, and presented in Gallery exhibitions throughout the country.

Weldon is an artist without a box to place him in. Mixed media painter, assemblage, collage, prints, photographs, and mixed media sculpture.

Click link to view interview: Weldon Butler Interview

SYMBIOSIS IN BLACK AND WHITE :: 2016 GRAPHITE ON PAPER SERIES

Symbiosis “in close proximity and in association with one another”. Weldon explores abstract line drawings expressing two points of focus, “beginning and returning to the same point” and “variation of line formation”. The Collection is comprised of some 30 graphite drawings, (29) 22×30 and (1) 146 x 42.

Symbiosis in Black & White also represents an “Out-coming of a body of work after previous work collaboration”, during his most recent exhibition in “Visual Abstractions” featuring a Butler retrospective in 2008, curated by Molly Norris.

Weldon relates works from Symbiosis to poignant periods in his life, either experienced personally or observed. Over the years, Butler’s work is consistent in his ever expressive consideration of culture and race. A current work titled “High Heeled Sneakers” speaks directly to current day hip hop youth culture, particularly African American youth who are recognized for producing the artform. Another work from the series, titled “Anvil” is a period drawing, inspired by the “ole blacksmith”, synonymous with African American craftsman of the early 19th century.

Weldon sites the technical inspirations of the series attributed to early Matisse works producing ‘in line work” in the 30s’ through 50’s.

Technically, Weldon’s works among SYMBIOSIS IN BLACK AND WHITE establishes elements associated with line formation, ie:: formulation of a point and returning, movement, expressive touch, intersecting points, pressure and weight presentation, light contrast, progressive aggression vs. regression, and balance.

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