"Artist" Chuckie Williams: Celebrity Stars

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      "Artist" Chuckie Williams (1957–2000), a self-taught artist from Shreveport, Louisiana, embarked on an unconventional path to his artistic career. His first art show unfolded in his front yard during an arson fire that consumed a building near his home in the Queensboro neighborhood. When firefighters asked him to evacuate, Chuckie famously responded that he had millions of dollars worth of paintings inside. In response, the firefighters helped him carry the artwork outside, which captured the attention of a reporter and sparked the beginning of his recognition as an artist.

     Born in 1957, Chuckie began painting in the 1980s after experiencing a profound emotional breakdown, which led to his hospitalization. During this time, he had a life-changing vision in which he felt a divine calling, as though God instructed him to create art. In the vision, he was promised that his work would be loved by people of all ages and celebrated worldwide, a prophecy that would forever alter the course of his life.

     Chuckie’s artistic materials were often sourced from discarded objects found in vacant lots—plywood, cardboard, sheetrock, oil drum lids, paper bags, boxes, and chunks of wood. Using these unconventional materials, he created vibrant masterpieces that featured bold, double-sided portraits, often painted with thick layers of bright acrylics. His signature technique included deeply etched pencil lines, making his pieces truly unique. Over the course of his career, Chuckie painted portraits of legendary figures like Michael and Janet Jackson, Magic Johnson, and the New Kids on the Block, along with animals, landscapes, and his favorite subject: Jesus. His signature—often including variations like "Artist Chuckie," "Painter Chuckie," "Psychic Talent," "Christ True Genius," or "Ghost Talent"—was a staple of his artwork.

     After a lifelong battle with diabetes, Chuckie passed away at the young age of 42 from kidney failure. Though his life was short, his artistic legacy endures. His work is widely collected and displayed across the United States, where it continues to inspire and captivate audiences.

Exhibition Specifications:

Number of works: 

• 15 Paintings
• 10 are double-sided
• Variety of sizes largest 50" x 32"  smallest 9" x 9"

Size of Exhibition:

•  1000 Square ft. is recommended
• The exhibition can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of your gallery.

Availability: 

• January 2025 onward.

Loan Fee:

• Price available upon request.

Shipping & Insurance

• Shipping & insurance charges are not included in the rental fee and are the responsibility of the borrower.  A list of available shipping partners can be provided upon request.
• x1 C-Bin 60" L x 25" W x 28" L

Loan Duration: 

• 8-10 or 12-16 weeks. 
• Exhibition loan durations are customizable to best suit your institution’s timeline.

Labels & Didactics:

• Venues responsibility to print labels and didactic info.
• InDesign tombstone label document will be provided.

Security

• Moderate security required.

Hardware

• Detailed installation instructions, and special hardware travels with the exhibition.

Credit Line:

• Private Collection