Kirk Williams - Parade | On view in the North East Gallery from 5 June - 23 August 2026

​     Kirk Williams’ Parade is a collection of the late artist’s assemblages, which surreally and whimsically emulate the procession of figures, creatures, and vehicles in a home town parade. This body of work was exhibited as part of his 2012 display at The Rourke and has been generously donated to our Permanent Collections from his widow, Caryn.

     Williams was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 1949. He studied graphics in Tacoma, Washington and studio art at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design in 1970. Kirk decided to continue his education outside of the formal academic environment—instead, “learning the hard way,” through trial and error to perfect his art. He passed away in 2022 at his home in Fergus Falls.

     Often feeling as if he were a fish out of water, Williams employed imagery of fish (and, not infrequently, actual taxidermic fish!), bubbles, and water throughout his career. These are all abundantly present as part of Parade. His unique way of seeing the world shines through in his assemblages, in which he carefully selected various antiques, knick knacks, and ephemera and reimagined them into such charming and surprising works of art as the viewer sees in this gallery.