FIGHT | FLIGHT | FAWN | FREEZE

Ford William

June 16 - July 15, 2023

Opening Reception: Friday, June 16, from 6 - 9pm

Ford William is a self-taught artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. FIGHT | FLIGHT | FAWN | FREEZE is Ford's debut solo exhibit and features sculptural and other 3D painted work on wood.

FIGHT | FLIGHT | FAWN | FREEZE is an imaginative depiction of the four primary stress responses humans instinctively deploy when we sense danger. The show reflects on some of the issues our stress responses can cause, including when we are in "survival mode"—when we (often without realizing it) spend an extended period exclusively trapped in one or more of these four stress responses—as well as the maladaptive nature of our stress responses in modern-day society.

The show's concept stems from Ford's experience—having spent years living in the unconscious and unsustainable chaos of survival mode—and his journey of learning (and unlearning) to move towards a healthier, more stable, and integrated existence.

After exiting survival mode and coming online again, Ford began making art to practice the skills needed to help prevent re-entering chronic stress-response states in the future. Specifically, he makes art to practice self-compassion, tame his inner critic, and move away from the shame-based avoidance and anxiety that were the root cause of many of his behavioral patterns.  

Ford creates playful, imaginative, and often humorous pieces that have been described as folk, outsider, or naive art. Themes in his work frequently relate to aspects of mental health, various absurdities of society, or information learned from his years spent obsessively researching anything & everything as a means of avoiding his feelings.


Don’t Get Caught Existing (Freeze)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, hardware, and wood on salvaged wood, 11” x 10” x 3.25”

SOLD

How Will the Freezer Freeze?
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, aluminum, Jack of Hearts, and hardware on salvaged wood, 17” x 9” x 4”

$425

A Hammer Doesn't Cry for Its Nails (Polarized Fight)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, salvaged wood, and hardware on found chest, 17.5” x 9.5” x 4”

$400

Your Feelings are Lava (Flight)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, and hardware on salvaged wood, 9.5” x 7.5” x 4”

$400

Anchored to Origins
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, hardware, and wood on salvaged wood, 7” x 11” x 3.5”

SOLD

Lizard Brain
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, and found head, 16” x 6” x 10”

$500

Useful 200,000 Years Ago
Ford William
Acrylic and house paint on found arm, 31” x 6” x 5”

$450

I am NOT a Threat (Fawn)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, aluminum, and hardware on salvaged wood, 14” x 6” x 3.5”

ON HOLD

Always Punch Down (Fight)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, hardware, and wood on salvaged wood, 12” x 6” x 3.5”

ON HOLD

Work, Smoke, Work, Smoke, etc. (Flight)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, and salvaged wood on found display case, 22” x 12” x 2”

SOLD

Trapped in Symbolic Flight (Polarized Flight)
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, aluminum, salvaged wood, and hardware on found chest, 14.5” x 7” x 7”

ON HOLD

The Superego's a Judge, The Amygdala a Mutineer
Ford William
Acrylic, house paint, aluminum, and hardware on salvaged wood, 9” x 4” x 1.5”

$300