ABOUT & CONTACT
As an emerging, multidisciplinary artist I use my practice to explore the fascination I have with energy; from the physical, emotional to the metaphysical. This interest comes from the stance of a disabled person living with an energy limiting illness. Forced to spend most of my time in solitude due to symptoms means a removal from the intensity of modern urban life. This translates to the accessing of a different time, space and rhythm from the outside world.
The pieces capture the marks of ephemeral entities, energies and the otherworldly. Each material used has a distinctive voice and flow. The works are often layered and intricate but always pulling from intuition and unseen forces. Automatism is my preferred process and In today's dynamic art scene it stands out for its ability to consistently transcend artistic trends. The technique, which harnesses spontaneous, unfiltered expression, connects viewers to the subconscious mind, creating a bridge between the personal and the collective unconscious. This approach parallels the transcendental nature of allowing ourselves to accept the totality of human experience.
Due to my lived experience as a disabled woman and self-taught artist, this has created another facet of artistic interest in producing socially driven work. This involves a research-led practice with disabled, deaf, visually impaired and neurodivergent creatives to show institutions and curators new ways of embedding access at the inception of creation. Awarded a DYCP by Arts Council, England in 2022, which was support for a period of R&D exploring the melding of physical and digital processes. Researching the lack of accessibility in digital installations whilst developing the subtle embedding of accessibility via projection and audio-less, pressure wave soundscapes.
I have many artistic loves; Leonara Carrington, Ithell Colquhoun, Guo Fengyi, Madge Gill, Georgiana Houghton, Wangechi Mutu, Christine Selafosha, Cath Garrigue and Remedios Varo are among the most captivating.
Publication 'Rethinking Outsider Art in the Digital Age. An Overview of Cara Macwilliam's Artisitic Practice by Dr Isil Celik. Cambridge University Press
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-psychiatric-sciences/article/rethinking-outsider-art-in-the-digital-age-an-overview-of-cara-macwilliams-artistic-practice/2F922BDDF942066FE06717DE0F1AEB7B
Contact: caramac22@hotmail.com
Represented by Jennifer Lauren Gallery
https://www.jenniferlaurengall...
Exhibitions
2024
Stashed, The Whitaker Museum & Gallery, Rossendale, 14 Nov-16 Feb 25, Short Supply
Bankley Open 2024, Bankley Studios & Gallery, Manchester, UK
Transcendents II, Cavin-Morris Gallery, New York, USA
Staff Picks; Best of the Year, Cavin-Morris Gallery, New York, USA
Why We Linger, SVA Gallery Stroud, Site Festival, Jennifer Lauren Gallery
In Clay, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London
Outsider Art Fair, New York, Jennifer Lauren Gallery
2023
Instinctive Energies, Mura Ma, Marple, Jennifer Lauren Gallery
There’s Something in There, Halle Saint Pierre, Paris, Jennifer Lauren Galley
Why We Linger, Darbyshire Framers, London, Jennifer Lauren Gallery
Outsider Art Fair, New York, Jennifer Lauren Gallery
Dreams, Agora Digital, Metaverse
2022
Creative Spirits, The College of Psychic Studies, London
Outsider Art Fair, New York, Jennifer Lauren Gallery
The Dove - A Sign of Peace and Hope, European Outsider Art Association, Virtual
Recollections May Vary , Group Exhibition Mental Health Museum, Wakefield
Another Space Within, Group Online Exhibition, Outside In
2021
Shapes & Patterns in Creativity, Group Exhibition, Yellow Edge Gallery, Portsmouth
Grants/Funding
2022
Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice
Support for a period of R&D exploring the melding of physical and digital processes. Researching the lack of accessibility in digital installations. Developing the subtle embedding of access from the inception of creation across projection, audio & vibrational soundscapes.
Competitions
2024 Long Listed Women In Art Prize
2022 Short Listed Factory International Fellowship 2023
2021 Winner of The College of Psychic Studies Summer Competition. Work acquired for their permanent collection
Residencies
Tan-y-Fron, Wales, September 2024
Awards
2023 Winner ‘Culture Champion’ Rising Stars and Change Makers, She Inspires Awards
Podcasts & Talks
2023 Q&A with Vivienne Roberts curator of The College of Psychic Studies, Mura Ma, Marple
2021 Podcast Guest on The Art Newspaper, discussing disability, art and the pandemic
2021 Podcasts for Working Class Women's Website
2020, Make It Work, Talk at Sussex University, Brighton CAA
Other
2021 Commissions for Working Class Women's Website
2021, Research work acquired for The Mental Health Museum, Wakefield
2020 Outside In, Artist of the Month
Press
Raw Vision
The Art Newspaper
Brut Journal
Antiques and the Arts