Billi London-Gray Artist in Resident 2014

Billi London-Gray

Billi London-Gray

Billi London-Gray is a visual artist and writer. She grew up in the small town of Wylie, Texas. She earned a B.A. in theology from Criswell College and an M.A. in liberal arts from St. John's College. Her intermedia work examines recontextualization and translation as essential processes of the human narrative. Through the separation and reintegration of parts — whether by appropriating images and text, repurposing found objects, abstracting environments, or combining disparate symbols — she explores the ways in which people construct and inhabit their realities. She is a founding organizer of the BEST Art Tour and a member of Art Advocates of San Marcos. She curates the Gallery of the Common Experience at Texas State University and co-owns the nonprofit Zosima Gallery in San Marcos, Texas, where she lives and works.

 

Billi London-Gray’s "From These Honored Dead We Take Increased Devotion"

Billi London-Gray

 

During our residency at Petrified Forest, we shot a short film that reimagines the history of the land comprising the park. Our cast consisted of artifacts from the park's collections and children's toys set against backdrops of art, writing and the land itself. Using stop-motion and time-lapse photography, we created a story that acknowledges the innocent aspects of historical ignorance while satirizing the lack of critical thought that allows stereotypes and misinformation to persist in the face of known facts.

It was a thrilling experience to work in this beautiful place and to be entrusted with the task of interpreting it. We felt very privileged to have access to the rangers, researchers and their knowledge. We never imagined that we would have so many doors open to us for exploring the land and its history. Our public art day at the Painted Desert Inn was one of the most rewarding events of our stay—we made sunprints with visitors from around the world. The people who live, work and play in Petrified Forest are as remarkable as the awe-inspiring landscape.