The World According to William T. Wiley examines the interpretations this contemporary California artist makes of “the world” (our world) and its relationship to his own private, everyday world. It brings together a collection of 30 paintings, prints, works on paper and mixed media assemblages, covering a period from 1968 to 2002, that illustrates Wiley’s worldview and, subsequently, reveals the serious aspects of his work.

William T. Wiley (b. 1937) has had a prolific career at home and abroad for over 40 years. He became famous in the 1960s as one of the most original artists to emerge from the Bay Area Funk milieu. Over the years, he has worked in virtually every possible medium, traditional and otherwise, but is best known for mixed media paintings consisting of acrylic paint, charcoal and graphite on canvas that combine visual images with narrative writing. Much of his work is autobiographical and includes references to his favorite artists. It is also infused by a sense of humor both in his draftsmanship and in the “punning” titles and narrative accompaniments.

A catalogue documenting the exhibition will be available for sale.