Castles Out of Grass

Justin Williams presents "Castles Out of Grass" at Semiose, Paris, from June 27 to July 25, 2026. The exhibition explores themes of liminality and the uncanny, drawing parallels between the artist's childhood sleepwalking experiences and the psychological states described by Freud, Lacan, and Jung. Williams' paintings are characterized by their evocation of familiar yet unknown figures and settings, creating a sense of "unheimlich" or uncanny familiarity.

The works delve into intermediate worlds and transitional states, prompting viewers to question the reality of the depicted characters, landscapes, and environments. The exhibition touches upon the contemporary feeling of living in a world that is both familiar and alien, referencing Antonio Gramsci's observation about periods of profound societal change. Williams' art attempts to capture this state of transition and the resulting sense of strangeness.