ARTIST BIO
Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, William Jaggers is a San Francisco-based abstract expressionist painter with a degrees in Painting and Printmaking from the San Francisco Art Institute. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and abroad (Mexico, Belgium, Spain, Italy). In addition to his studio practice, Jaggers has been an art teacher in San Francisco for 25+ years.
ARTIST STATEMENT: DISSONANCE IN HARMONY
My work explores the duality of dissonance and harmony, drawing parallels between visual art and music. In music, dissonance evokes tension, suspense, and a range of emotions—from horror to sadness. Similarly, my paintings employ layers of texture, color, and brushwork, inviting viewers to engage with the visual narrative embedded within each piece.
Each piece begins with a central idea, which evolves through a meticulous layering process This technique gives my paintings an archaeological quality. The complexity of the work grows as I allow my intuition to guide the layering, enhancing both the idea and the content.
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Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, I was captivated by the way the harsh desert sun weathered the landscape, revealing layers of color and texture on the desert floor. This fascination is echoed in my artwork, where layers of paint mimic the interplay of time and experience, with textures and colors peeking through the surface.
Influenced by jazz and classical music, my compositions are alive with movement. The interplay of flowing lines and dissonant shapes harmonizes within a dynamic structure, anchored by flat background colors. Each painting becomes a dialogue—a reflection of the chaos and beauty that exists within our world.
My work speaks to the overwhelming flow of media and consumer culture, abstractly reflecting how these elements converge in our lives..
