Stephen Willats

Stephen Willats is regarded as one of Europe’s most influential conceptual artists. Since the 1960s, Willats has explored the intersections between art and disciplines such as sociology, cybernetics, and semiotics and philosophy, with a focus on the viewer’s role and contemporary societal issues. His work examines communication processes, daily signs, and symbols, encouraging viewers to engage actively with their perceptual skills and expand their imaginative perspectives. Since 1965, he has been the chief editor of Control magazine, a publication fostering interdisciplinary dialogue with contributions from over 150 artists.

Stephen Willats (b. 1943, London, UK) lives and works in London. His work has been shown in numerous solo exhibitions in prestigious institutions around the world, and many texts have been written about his practice. Recent solo exhibitions include Bonnington Gallery at Nottingham Trent University (Nottingham, 2022); Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Zürich, 2019); Tate Liverpool (Liverpool, 2018); MIMA (Middlesbrough, 2017); The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation (Stockholm, 2016); and Museo Rufino Tamayo (Oaxaca, 2015). His work has also been featured in group exhibitions at LACMA (Los Angeles, 2023); Centre Pompidou Metz (Metz, 2022); and Museum of Art Pudong (Shanghai, 2021).