Harry R. Williams

Harry Williams was born October 18, 1948 in Columbus, Ohio. He became deaf due to a drug named Streptomycin that was given by his Doctor for sore tonsils when he was about age one and half. He was one of three deaf and two hearing children born to hearing parents. The Doctors that were giving Streptomycin to people of all ages, thought it was a good drug but learned that it caused damage to some people's nerves to the ear and/or having thyroid problem. The Streptomycin was pulled out of market after 13 years.

Harry began drawing at age 4, as a way to communicate with his parents, and he drew pictures throughout school when assigned to write stories. Harry went to California School for the Deaf in Riverside, California. Encouraged by his deaf peers, school counselors, and his parents he chose to pursue his talent in art. He graduated from Gallaudet University, Washington DC, earning his BA in Fine ART in 1974.

Experiencing the world without the ability to hear, ironically, his images are strongly influenced by the beauty of music. Harry referred to himself as a "symbolist" painter. Each painting is a visual statement full of symbolism... the violins without strings... the tulips that appear to be whispering among themselves -- all have special meaning to the artist. His style is reminiscent of that of the masters such as Botticelli, Dali, Magritte and Ingres.

In 1981 Harry and his hearing impaired brother were featured in a documentary entitled "Profile of a Deaf Artist & Deaf Mechanic", produced by KCET-TV in Los Angeles.

In 1990 Harry flew to Sweden for the Nordic* Cultural Festival for Deaf, which been held every 4 year. He gave his speech about his Art works. He was planning to go to the Nordic* Cultural Festival for Deaf in Denmark then on visiting Wales where his many relatives live but he came down with illness problem. He died in April 1991. Now he is well known as an Artist in Deaf World.

Harry enjoyed collecting history books, driving, and restoring classic ‘60s Cadillacs.

Awards:

Gallaudet University - Best of Show, 1974

Newport Beach Art Festival - Purchase Awards, 1979 & 1980

Public Collections:

Gallaudet University

Newport Beach City Hall

California School for the Deaf Riverside

"My eyes are my ears…listen to the scene!"