William Monk

Details:

b. 1977, Kingston upon Thames, UK

Connect:

(opens in a new window) williammonk.com
(opens in a new window) @_william_monk_

Pace Publications:

(opens in a new window) Shop Now

William Monk’s scenographic works tap into the rich tradition of painting.

Monk paints enigmatic and vibrant works, using starkly divisional compositions and often works in extensive series that gradually evolve over time. The canvases carry irregular intensities of detail, line, foreground and background, a sense of repetition breaks down the figuration, creating visual mantras. This rhythm happens throughout Monk’s work, surrendering figurative logic to arrive at something stranger and more powerful. Atmospheric and energetic, these paintings invite a more direct physical connection, drawing in the space between our inner and outer realms of experience.

Sentinel IV by William Monk — William Monk, Sentinel IV, 2025, oil on canvas, 55 cm × 90 cm (21-5/8" × 35-7/16") © William Monk

Monk was awarded the Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst (Royal Award for Painting) in 2005 and the Jerwood Contemporary Painters award in 2009. Monk’s work has been exhibited at Fries Museum, Leeuwarden (NL); Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL); Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (NL); GRIMM, Amsterdam (NL); James Cohan Gallery, New York (US); Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles (US); Norwich University, Norwich (UK); PSL, Leeds and Summerfield Gallery, Cheltenham, London (UK). His work can also be found in the collections of the Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (NL); AKZO Nobel, Amsterdam (NL); David Roberts Art Foundation, London (UK); Fries Museum, Leeuwarden (NL); ING, Amsterdam (NL), and in many private collections.

Son of Nothing III by William Monk — William Monk, *Son of Nothing III*, 2023, oil on canvas, 45 cm × 70 cm (17-11/16" × 27-9/16") © William Monk

Installation view of West of Nowhere by William Monk — Installation view, *William Monk: West of Nowhere*, Sep 9 – Oct 21, 2023, Pace Gallery, Los Angeles © William Monk

Installation view of Psychopomp by William Monk at the Long Museum — Installation view, *William Monk: Psychopomp*, Jan 13 – Mar 24, 2024, Long Museum West Bund, Shanghai, China © William Monk

Installation view of The Ferryman by William Monk — Installation view, *The Ferryman: William Monk*, Apr 29 – Jun 11, 2022, Pace Gallery, New York © William Monk

82464 — William Monk, *Untitled*, 2022, oil on canvas, 45 cm × 70 cm (17-11/16" × 27-9/16") © William Monk

1/8

Icon I (the ferryman) by William Monk — William Monk, *Icon I (the ferryman)*, 2019-2022, oil on canvas, 45 cm × 35 cm (17-11/16" × 13-3/4") © William Monk

2/8

Untitled (study for the ferryman IV) by William Monk — William Monk, *Untitled (study for the ferryman IV)*, 2019-2021, oil on canvas, 35 cm × 55 cm (13-3/4" × 21-5/8") © William Monk

3/8

Untitled (zip) II by William Monk — William Monk, *Untitled (zip) II*, 2020, oil on canvas, 35 cm × 60 cm (13-3/4" × 23-5/8") unframed, 37.2 cm × 61.9 cm × 6 cm (14-5/8" × 24-3/8" × 2-3/8") framed © William Monk

4/8

Point Datum VIII by William Monk — William Monk, *Point Datum VIII*, 2020, oil on canvas, 45 cm × 35 cm × 6 cm (17-11/16" × 13-3/4" × 2-3/8"), framed, 47 cm × 37 cm © William Monk

5/8

79AD II by William Monk — William Monk, *79AD II*, 2024, oil on canvas, 21-5/8" × 35-7/16" (54.9 cm × 90 cm) © William Monk

6/8

Son of Nowhere by William Monk — William Monk, *Son of Nowhere IV*, 2023, oil on canvas, 8' 10-5/16" × 8' 4-3/8" (270 cm × 255 cm) © William Monk

7/8

Smoke Ring Mountain III by William Monk — William Monk, *Smoke Ring Mountain III*, 2023, oil on canvas, 8' 10-5/16" × 8' 4-3/8" (270 cm × 255 cm) © William Monk

8/8

Exhibitions

View All

Journal

View All

William Monk
One-Artist Exhibitions

William Monk One-Artist Exhibitions

Dates

Born 1977, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom

Education

1997–2000, Fine Art, Kingston University, BA (Hons.)

2004–2006, De Ateliers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2024

William Monk: Psychopomp, Long Museum, Shanghai, January 12–March 24, 2024. Traveled to: Sifang Art Museum, Nanjing, China, April 26–June 30, 2024; He Art Museum, Shunde, China, August 22–November 3, 2024.

2023

William Monk: West of Nowhere, Pace Gallery, Los Angeles, September 9–October 21, 2023.

2022

William Monk: The Ferryman, Pace Gallery, 510 West 25th Street, New York, April 29–June 11, 2022, and Pace Gallery, East Hampton, New York, May 27–June 5, 2022. Concurrent with Grimm, New York, April 29–June 11, 2022. (Catalogue)

2020

Willian Monk: Point Datum, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong, December 1, 2020–January 23 (extended through January 30), 2021.

William Monk: Mount Atom, Grimm, Amsterdam, October 2–November 21, 2020. (Catalogue)

Online: William Monk: Untitled (zip) II–VII, Pace Gallery, May 5–15, 2020. (Catalogue)

2019

William Monk: A Fool Through the Cloud, Pace Gallery, London, March 6–April 10, 2019.

2017

William Monk: Seven Leagues to Pompeii, Grimm, New York, September 10–October 15, 2017.

2015

William Monk: The Cloud is Growing in the Trees, Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles, May 29–July 10, 2015.

2014

William Monk, James Cohan Gallery, New York, March 27–April 26, 2014.

2013

William Monk: Furthur Planetarium!, Grimm, Amsterdam, June 28–August 3, 2013.

2010

William Monk: Winter Circus, Grimm, Amsterdam, March 13–May 2010.

2009

William Monk: CROPLAND, Art Amsterdam, May 13–May 17, 2009.

2008

William Monk: Paintings, Grimm, Amsterdam, May 24–July 12, 2008.

2006

William Monk: How to Stop Whining and Start Living, Fries Museum, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, July 15–September 15, 2006.

William Monk
Group Exhibitions

William Monk Group Exhibitions

2025

Pace: 65 Years, Pace Gallery, Geneva, May 21–August 9 (extended through November 7), 2025.

2024

My World, Singer Laren, the Netherlands, September 18, 2024–January 12, 2025. (Catalogue)

2022

The Kingfisher’s Wing, Grimm, Amsterdam, July 21–August 19, 2022. (Catalogue)

Unnatural Nature: Post-Pop Landscapes, Acquavella Gallery, New York, April 21–June 10, 2022.

2020

Im Frage: Collection Delissen, Het Valkhof, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, November 28, 2020–February 21, 2021.

2019

Away in the Hill, Grimm, New York, June 27–August 2, 2019.

2018

Common Ground, AkzoNobel Art Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2018.

2017

Miniatuur Museum, Wonderkamers, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, The Hague, the Netherlands, 2017.

2016

Culture of Colors, AkzoNobel Art Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, opened January 27, 2016.

2014

Facing Nature, Museum Belvédère, Heerenveen, the Netherlands, December 14, 2013–March 30, 2014. (Catalogue)

The Hidden Picture, Cobra Museum voor Moderne Kunst, Amstelveen, the Netherlands, September 12, 2014–January 4, 2015.

Huidige Zaken, Grimm Gallery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, June 5–October 1, 2014.

2013

Chambres des Canaux: The Tolerant Home, Looiersgracht 60, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 1–17, 2013. (Catalogue)

2012

Recent British Painting, Grimm, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, October 18–November 24, 2012. (Catalogue)

Just Paint, Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, the Netherlands, March 25–June 17, 2012.

2011

OH CRISIS 2.0, Frankendael Foundation, the Netherlands, March 26–April 28, 2011.

2009

Conceptueel Realisme: Een selectie uit de ING Collectie, Kunsthal 52, Den Helder, the Netherlands, November 5, 2009–January 9, 2010.

Jerwood Contemporary Painters, Jerwood Space, London, April 22–May 31, 2009. Traveled to: Project Space Leeds, July 22–September 19; Summerfield Gallery, Cheltenham, November 2–27, 2009; Gallery at Norwich University College of the Arts, Norwich, January 14–February 20, 2010. (Catalogue)

2006

Cropped: Young Artists from European Academies, Figge von Rosen, Cologne, Germany, December 16, 2006–January 13, 2007.

Replacing Mashkov: Recent Acquisitions by the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, the Netherlands, December 9, 2006–April 22, 2007.

Vincent Van Gogh and Expressionism, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, November 24, 2006–March 4, 2007. Traveled to: Neue Galerie, New York, March 23–July 2, 2007. (Catalogue)

Offspring, De Ateliers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 2–May 21, 2006.

2005

Royal Award for Painting, Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, the Netherlands, October 8–November 27, 2005. (Catalogue)

Seven Young Painters, Bowie Van Valen, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, June 5–July 14, 2005.

William Monk
Public Collections

William Monk Public Collections

AkzoNobel Art Foundation, Amsterdam

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, United Kingdom

Fries Museum, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands

He Art Museum, Shunde, China

ING Collection, Amsterdam

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami

Kunstmuseum Den Haag, The Hague, the Netherlands

Long Museum, Shanghai

Marciano Art Foundation, Los Angeles

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

De Nederlandsche Bank, Amsterdam

Roberts Institute of Art, London

Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

William Monk
Periodicals

William Monk Periodiocals

2024

Elderton, Louisa. “At the Neuendorf Residency in Mallorca, William Monk Embraces the Slowness of Painting.” Artnet News, 15 May 2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/william-monk-light-color-2486650

Jie, Wang. “William Monk holds first solo exhibition in Asia at Long Museum” (exhibition review). Shine, 15 January 2024. https://www.shine.cn/feature/art-culture/2401153626/.

Monk, William. "William Monk: Angels and Smoke Rings" (Long Museum exhibition review). Interview with Kristen Knupp. Art Vista, 25 April 2024.

“William Monk: The Ferryman.” Arte Realizzata, 20 February 2024. https://www.arterealizzata.com/book-highlight/william-monk-the-ferryman.

2022

DiDonna, Bennett. “William Monk | West of Nowhere: Awakening Universes Real and Conjured” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Flaunt Magazine, 15 September 2023. https://www.flaunt.com/post/william-monk-west-of-nowhere

Ghassemitari, Shawn. “William Monk Presents ‘The Ferryman’ at Pace and GRIMM” (Pace Gallery and GRIMM exhibition review). Hypebeast, 3 May 2022. https://hypebeast.com/2022/5/william-monk-the-ferryman-pace-grimm

Leonardo, Kathy. “Pace William Monk” (exhibition review). LAArtParty, 6 September 2023. https://www.laartparty.com/pace-william-monk/

Lloyd-Smith, Harriet, MacAlistar-Smith, Tilly. “Frieze New York 2022: activism, NFT action, and stellar shows around town” (Pace Gallery exhibition reviews). Wallpaper, 17 May 2022. https://www.wallpaper.com/art/frieze-new-york-2022-preview

Monk, William. “WILIAM MONK.” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Interview with Dan Golden. Curator, 19 May 2022. https://curator.guide/conversations/william-monk

Yerebakan, Osman Can. “William Monk’s Enigmatic Paintings Take Over Three Galleries in New York” (Pace Gallery and Grimm Gallery exhibition preview). Galerie, 26 April 2022. https://galeriemagazine.com/william-monk-the-ferryman/

2020

Airoldi, Silvia. “L'agenda Delle Monstre, Da Tutto Il Mondo, Da Vedere On Line Questa Settimana" (Pace Gallery online exhibition review). Elle Décor, 9 May 2020. https://www.elledecor.com/it/lifestyle/a32422776/mostre-migliori-vedere-online-maggio-2020/

Barrila, Silvia Anna. “Vendite vivaci a Frieze online nella fascia alta.” Il Sole 24 Ore, 9 May 2020. https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/vendite-vivaci-frieze-online-fascia-alta-AD4OoUP

“Pace Gallery: ‘Untitled (zip) II – VII’ a digital exhibition by William Monk” (Pace Gallery online exhibition review). Flash Art, 11 May 2020. https://flash---art.com/2020/05/pace-gallery-untitled-zip-ii-vii-a-digital-exhibition-by-william-monk/

“Spotlight: William Monk Untitled (zip) II – VII” (Pace Gallery online exhibition review). Artforum, 6 May 2020. https://www.artforum.com/spotlight/pace-82984

Steer, Emily. “For William Monk, Beauty Can Be Found in Catastrophic Places” (Pace Gallery online exhibition review). Elephant Magazine, 18 May 2020. https://elephant.art/william-monk-painting-pace-gallery-interview-18052020/

“William Monk” (Pace Gallery online exhibition review). Air Mail, 9 May 2020. https://airmail.news/arts-intel/events/william-monk-2543

Wise, Louis. “Art galleries online — the best virtual tours.” The Times, 3 May 2020.

2019

Chaundy, Bob. “William Monk – A Fool Through the Cloud” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Considering Art, 11 March 2019. https://consideringart.com/2019/03/11/william-monk-a-fool-through-the-cloud/#more-772

Gittlen, Ariela. “William Monk: Apocalyptic Vibe” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Elephant (Spring 2019): 150–157, illustrated.

Jones, Jonathan. “What to See This Week in the UK: Five of the Best…Exhibitions” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). The Guardian, 2–8 March 2019: 5, illustrated.

Lucie-Smith, Edward. “David Salle, Martin Parr and William Monk Kick Off The Spring Gallery Season” (Pace Gallery exhibition review). Artlyst, 17 March 2019. https://www.artlyst.com/reviews/david-salle-martin-parr-william-monk-kick-off-spring-gallery-season-edward-lucie-smith/

“William Monk, Pace Gallery” (exhibition review). Culture Whisper, 28 February 2019. https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/visual_arts/william_monk_pace_london/13341

“William Monk Exhibition Opens at Pace Gallery in Mayfair” (exhibition review). London Live, 7 March 2019. Online video, 1:55. https://www.londonlive.co.uk/news/2019-03-07/william-monk-exhibition-opens-at-pace-gallery-in-mayfair

2018

Goldstein, Andrew. “Art Fairs: 10 of the Best Artworks at Frieze 2018.” Artnet News, 4 October 2018.

https://news.artnet.com/market/10-of-the-best-artworks-at-frieze-london-2018-1364395

2016

Dijksterhuis, Edo. “Review: Akzonobel Brengt Kijker Dichter Bij Kunst.” Museumtijdschrift, 11 February 2016. https://grimmgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AkzoNobel-brengt-kijker-dichter-bij-kunst-%E2%80%A2-MuseumtijdschriftMuseumtijdschrift.pdf

“Pace Gallery Announces Representation of William Monk.” Artinfo, 11 October 2018. http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/3301718/pace-gallery-announces-representation-of-william-monk

2015

Dudok van Heel, Menno and Thomas Stokmans. “Indian Summer 2015: William Monk” (De Ateliers exhibition review). Tubelight, 29 October 2015.

Drohojowska, Philip. Interview with William Monk, Sam Windett and Mark Grotjahn. KCRW: Art Talk. Podcast audio. June 2015. https://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/art-talk/william-monk-sam-windett-and-mark-grotjahn

'William Monk at Kohn Gallery.” The Art Minion. 16 June 2015. https://theartminion.com/2015/06/16/william-monk-at-kohn-gallery/

Sullivan, Gala. “William Monk at Kohn Gallery” (exhibition review). Widewalls, 23 May 2015: illustrated. https://www.widewalls.ch/exhibition-william-monk-at-kohn-gallery-los-angeles/

2014

Grimes, William. “Shopping for a Masterpiece (With Help) for $5,000.” The New York Times, 12 March 2014. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/13/arts/design/shopping-for-a-masterpiece-with-help-for-5000.html

Jude, Danielle. “Heather Rowe, William Monk and Richard T. Walker.” Art Nerd New York, 25 March 2014. http://art-nerd.com/newyork/heather-rowe-william-monk-and-richard-t-walker/

Monk, William. “Readings: ‘Further!,’” oil and copper painting on canvas. Harpers Magazine, August 2014: 15, illustrated.

“William Monk: 21 Mar–26 Apr 2014 at the James Cohan Gallery in New York, United States.” Wall Street International Magazine, 26 March 2014. https://wsimag.com/art/8212-william-monk

2013

Bailey, Stephanie. “OCULA Report: Total Abstraction: A report from Art Basel Miami Beach.” OCULA Magazine, 11 December 2013.

“’Facing Nature’ nieuwe expositite in Museum Belvédère,’” (exhibition review). Jouster Courant, 14 December 2013. https://joustercourant.nl/2013/12/14/facing-nature-nieuwe-expositie-in-museum-belvdre/

Muller, Robert Jan. “Critic’s Pick: William Monk” (Grimm Amsterdam exhibition review). Artforum, 27 July 2013: illustrated. https://www.artforum.com/picks/william-monk-42097

Perrée, Rob. “Groots eerbetoon aan de schilderkunst: ‘Further Planetarium!” (Grimm Amsterdam exhibition review). Tubelight, 9 September 2013: illustrated.

2011

Kammer, Claudia. “Businessman Chooses Art.” nrc.nl, 12 April 2011: illustrated. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2011/04/12/zakenman-kiest-kunst-12010367-a1138153

Merrick, Jay. “William Monk: ‘I camouflage the content of my paintings. I want to be Cryptic.’” The Independent, 11 March 2011. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/william-monk-i-camouflage-the-content-of-my-paintings-i-want-to-be-cryptic-2238057.html

2010

Borg, Lucette ter. “Monks liefde voor de belle peinture” (Grimm Amsterdam exhibition review). NRC Handelsblad, 13 & 14 March 2010: illustrated.

2009

Braat, Manon. “William Monk” (Grimm Amsterdam exhibition review). Kunstbeeld, May 2009: illustrated.

“Hardeep Singh Kohli: Brush with an artist reveals sadness behind sale.” The Scotsman, 25 April 2009. https://www.scotsman.com/news/hardeep-singh-kohli-brush-with-an-artist-reveals-sadness-behind-sale-1-1352228

2008

Dijksterhuism, Edo. “In de galerie: Verf golvend op een waterbed” (Grimm Amsterdam exhibition review). Financieele Dagblad, 31 May 2008: illustrated.

Bronwasser, Sacha. “Monk stippelt en stapelt als een hedendaagse Hundertwasser.” Volkskrant, June 2008: illustrated.

2006

Jaarverslag 2006: Stichting het Fries Museum. July 2007: 28, 30, 36.

Spijkerman, Sandra. “William Monk: Digital versus Analog” (De Ateliers exhibition review). Kunstbeeld, March 2006

William Monk
Books and Catalogues

William Monk Books

2024

My World (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Jan Rudolph de Lorm, and Hans den Hartog Jager. Laren, the Netherlands: Singer Laren; Zwolle, the Netherlands, 2024: 173, illustrated.

2023

William Monk: The Ferryman (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Mark Beasley, Suzanne Hudson and John Yau. New York: Pace Gallery, 2023.

2022

The Kingfisher’s Wing (exhibition catalogue). Texts by Tom Morton. Amsterdam: Grimm Fine Art, 2022.

William Monk: Mount Atom (exhibition catalogue). Edited by Clémence Monk and Jorien de Vries, text by Jay Merrick. Amsterdam: Grimm Fine Art, 2022.

2014

Collectie De Heus-Zomer: Facing Nature (exhibition catalogue). Text by Hans den Hartog Jager. Heerenveen: Museum Belvedere, 2014.

In Zicht: Overwegingen bij de Collectie van de Nederlandsche Bank = In Sight: Thoughts on the Collection of De Nederlandsche Bank. Text by Alexander Strengers. Amsterdam: De Nederlandsche Bank NV, 2014: I186–187, illustrated.

Re: Society: 40 Years of ING Engaging with the Arts. Amsterdam, Netherlands: ING Groep, 2015.

2013

Chambres des Canaux: The Tolerant Home (exhibition catalogue). Amsterdam: Stichting Amsterdam, 2013.

2012

Recent British Painting (exhibition catalogue). Cologne: Snoeck, 2012.

2009

Jerwood Contemporary Painters (exhibition catalogue). [London]: Jerwood Visual Arts, 2009.

2006

Vincent Van Gogh and Expressionism (exhibition catalogue). Text by Jull Lloyd. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz, 2006.

2005

Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst 2005 (exhibition catalogue). Amsterdam: Stichting Koninklijk Paleis te Amsterdam, 2005: 35, 38, illustrated

William Monk

Details:

Connect:

Pace Publications: