ISAIAH WILLIAMS (STARBEING)
As a muralist and painter, I make vibrant and meaningful paintings using a wide range of tools and techniques to bring my artwork to life. I make art that is meant to pull in the viewer. I'm drawn to painting landscapes, people, geometric shapes, and animals. It is important for me to tell a story in my work because I want to connect with people on a deeper level. As a self-taught artist I'm actively looking for ways to inspire the youth and bring the community closer together through my artistic expression. Art has always been a tool to challenge one’s way of thinking and inspire the next generation.
My art is intended to beautify a space while containing subliminal messages that aim to invoke deep thought within the viewer’s mind. I use a multitude of colors and textures behind every stroke for the purpose of leaving an everlasting impression. I use art as a portal to different realms in my imagination. Balancing my individuality with my Black identity is a part of the process of telling my own story. My body of work stretches all over Cleveland, and it is my desire to have my work all over the world. I am deeply inspired by many of the world-renowned artists before me and I plan to join their ranks. Although my name Is Isaiah, I sign most of my work by my Instagram name Starbeing.
ISAIAH WILLIAMS (STARBEING)
The Light of Emancipation
The Light of Emancipation
Isaiah Williams (Starbeing)
Let's make our shared ideals a reality. For everyone.
On another side you have the musicians, who are pouring their all into their instruments. Creativity and joy and togetherness were and are so vital to the story of collective Black survival, community and emancipation. From juke joints to music halls and dance houses, it’s where we came together to just play. That freedom to express individually and together built a strong sense of self and solidarity. It was a core foundation of taking up our space.
It was also a space of dialogue between generations. At the top of the musicians is an older gentleman guiding a young player on the banjo, helping the next generation understand how to navigate the world.
And that is the third great focus of With Grace and Faith: the work of emancipation being the work of generations, passing wisdom and knowledge down to support and guide one another. The hand of the elder, with grace and light touch, offers guidance to the younger hand. It felt important to show this through hands as our hands are how we do and how we communicate. They can be balled into fists or offered in the open hand of friendship. They are how we greet and console, celebrate and pray, hold and give. They are the everyday representation of how we show up in the world.
These three features are the foreground to a background of figures of movement and connection. Because ultimately emancipation – shaped by grace and faith – was about being able to grow with each other. In creativity. In expression. In communion. In hope.
Often we focus on the darkness of the reality from which emancipation was required. Which is entirely right. But sometimes it is good to focus on the light: despite the darkness from which we came, what wonder and joy we’ve been able to create – from generation to generation. That’s worth honoring and celebrating, knowing our individual transformation is always possibility ahead.
ISAIAH’s “If I Could Tell You Just One Thing…”
Remain authentic and true to yourself. Don’t try and copy anyone else because that’s how you become detached from your true purpose in life. You’ve got one life to live – live it your way.
explore the theme
For everyone. For you.
By all of us. Join us.
the artist's inspiration
The historic moment of emancipation was forged in the context of violence and struggle. But beyond legal emancipation came the emancipation of ourselves and each other. That new dawn of possibility – of a once enslaved people beginning to forge lives of dignity, purpose and possibility from the ashes of bondage.
The young girl prays, in hope and faith for her future. I chose to represent a young girl because Black women have in so many ways been our backbone in a truly remarkable, often under-celebrated way. She’s both contemporary and timeless. The work of emancipation is not just a thing of the past, but our work of the present and future. She is touched on the shoulder by a monarch butterfly, a symbol of transformation.
From the caterpillar to the cocoon to its full bloom, where you begin or are now is not your final form. By discovering and expressing yourself, you start to spread your wings and can become this magnificent, beautiful, unique butterfly - a higher, continuously better self.
CAPITOL PARK, detroit
june 2024
On another side you have the musicians, who are pouring their all into their instruments. Creativity and joy and togetherness were and are so vital to the story of collective Black survival, community and emancipation. From juke joints to music halls and dance houses, it’s where we came together to just play. That freedom to express individually and together built a strong sense of self and solidarity. It was a core foundation of taking up our space.
It was also a space of dialogue between generations. At the top of the musicians is an older gentleman guiding a young player on the banjo, helping the next generation understand how to navigate the world.
And that is the third great focus of With Grace and Faith: the work of emancipation being the work of generations, passing wisdom and knowledge down to support and guide one another. The hand of the elder, with grace and light touch, offers guidance to the younger hand. It felt important to show this through hands as our hands are how we do and how we communicate. They can be balled into fists or offered in the open hand of friendship. They are how we greet and console, celebrate and pray, hold and give. They are the everyday representation of how we show up in the world.
These three features are the foreground to a background of figures of movement and connection. Because ultimately emancipation – shaped by grace and faith – was about being able to grow with each other. In creativity. In expression. In communion. In hope.
Often we focus on the darkness of the reality from which emancipation was required. Which is entirely right. But sometimes it is good to focus on the light: despite the darkness from which we came, what wonder and joy we’ve been able to create – from generation to generation. That’s worth honoring and celebrating, knowing our individual transformation is always a possibility ahead.
ISAIAH’s “If I Could Tell You Just One Thing…”
Remain authentic and true to yourself. Don’t try and copy anyone else because that’s how you become detached from your true purpose in life. You’ve got one life to live – live it your way.
THEME
EMANC
Emancipation examines a key chapter in the story of the United States. It was messy and violent – full of complicated motivations, realities and repercussions – but it shifted the trajectory of a young country towards greater freedom.
THEME
EMANCIPATION
Emancipation examines a key chapter in the story of the United States. It was messy and violent – full of complicated motivations, realities and repercussions – but it shifted the trajectory of a young country towards greater freedom.
explore the theme
the artist's inspiration
The historic moment of emancipation was forged in the context of violence and struggle. But beyond legal emancipation came the emancipation of ourselves and each other. That new dawn of possibility – of a once enslaved people beginning to forge lives of dignity, purpose and possibility from the ashes of bondage.
The young girl prays, in hope and faith for her future. I chose to represent a young girl because Black women have in so many ways been our backbone in a truly remarkable, often under-celebrated way. She’s both contemporary and timeless. The work of emancipation is not just a thing of the past, but our work of the present and future. She is touched on the shoulder by a monarch butterfly, a symbol of transformation.
From the caterpillar to the cocoon to its full bloom, where you begin or are now is not your final form. By discovering and expressing yourself, you start to spread your wings and can become this magnificent, beautiful, unique butterfly - a higher, continuously better self.
Let's make our shared ideals a reality. For everyone.
ISAIAH WILLIAMS (STARBEING)
As a muralist and painter, I make vibrant and meaningful paintings using a wide range of tools and techniques to bring my artwork to life. I make art that is meant to pull in the viewer. I'm drawn to painting landscapes, people, geometric shapes, and animals. It is important for me to tell a story in my work because I want to connect with people on a deeper level. As a self-taught artist I'm actively looking for ways to inspire the youth and bring the community closer together through my artistic expression. Art has always been a tool to challenge one’s way of thinking and inspire the next generation.
My art is intended to beautify a space while containing subliminal messages that aim to invoke deep thought within the viewer’s mind. I use a multitude of colors and textures behind every stroke for the purpose of leaving an everlasting impression. I use art as a portal to different realms in my imagination. Balancing my individuality with my Black identity is a part of the process of telling my own story. My body of work stretches all over Cleveland, and it is my desire to have my work all over the world. I am deeply inspired by many of the world-renowned artists before me and I plan to join their ranks. Although my name Is Isaiah, I sign most of my work by my Instagram name Starbeing.
For everyone. For you. By all of us. Join us.
PURPOSE
in our relationship with ourselves.
WORTHINESS
I am worthy of love dignity and respect.
AWARENESS
I know how I see the world and where it comes from.
BELIEF
I believe I have something valuable to offer.
PURPOSE
I know what inspires me and what I want to do.