Chris Williamson: Opening Night for 'The Obsessive Observer
A new exhibition opened at REDSEA Gallery, drawing visitors into a world of memory, community, and finely observed detail. The Obsessive Observer by British-born artist Chris Williamson opened on 6 September and will run throughout the month.
The opening night drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, with many attendees remarking on the atmosphere of warmth and connection. One guest reflected, “We’ve been to many exhibition openings but this one was particularly warm and heartfelt. There are so many aspects to bringing together an exhibition and The Obsessive Observer was particularly nuanced.” It was an evening that echoed the exhibition’s spirit: warm, genuine, and rooted in a sense of community.
Williamson, who began his career as an illustrator, has built an art practice that blends technical mastery with deeply personal storytelling. His intricate ink and watercolour drawings reflect on his childhood in the north of England, where industrial landscapes, terraced streets, and the closeness of community life left a lasting impression.
The works on display capture more than just the textures of brick, smoke, and stone; they hold the atmosphere of lives once lived and stories quietly unfolding. Alongside the drawings, Williamson presents assemblage sculptures made from reclaimed objects. These extend his visual narratives into three dimensions, with each piece carrying fragments of memory reimagined as art.
Together, the drawings and sculptures offer an intimate glimpse into a world both intricate and moving, where the dignity of everyday life is transformed into something quietly extraordinary.
As part of the exhibition, Williamson is also Artist in Residence at REDSEA Gallery from 12–29 September, between 12–4 pm daily. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to meet the artist, watch him at work, and gain insight into the process behind his evocative pieces.
To mark the occasion, a limited edition of 30 prints has been produced for each of the seven large drawings on display.
The exhibition offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy art that is both visually striking and deeply personal—well worth a visit for anyone in Margaret River this spring.
