William Toney explores the abstractions that underlie modes of Black cultural production. Engaging with ideas of Utopia, Opacity, and Afrofuturism, his practice interacts with concepts and communities across time, always seeking to deconstruct the notion of a singular Black experience. He challenge monolithic definitions of Blackness by examining histories and countercultural efforts to collectively actualize alternative ways of becoming.
Through photography, sculpture, video, and installation, He explores interactions across differences. Utilizing various media—such as sampled or found video footage—and materials imbued with cultural specificity, he creates works that serve as viewfinders into other worlds. Central to my practice is the question of what it means to be human in contemporary society. By drawing forward imaginings of the future, his work continues to engage with liberation as an ongoing framework for exploration and transformation.
WilliamToney_InMotion is on view at AUTOMAT through June 28th. Stop by and see the show on Saturdays from 12-5!
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WilliamToney_InMotion_AUTOMAT
𝐎𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: June 7th - June 28th, 2025
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: June 12th, 6-9pm
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: AUTOMAT, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
WilliamToney_InMotion is curated by AUTOMAT Member Brynn Hurlstone
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@willartthou
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