Background and Approach
Diversity characterizes Bill Corning's life as well as his art. Bill's pen and pencil drawings gained attention before he reached secondary school, earning him a Rochester (N.Y.) Memorial Art Gallery workshop scholarship, but art did not remain his only pursuit. Academic interests led him to neurophysiology, marine neurobiology, neurochemistry and, for the last 25 years of professional activities, neuropsychiatric research (the development of computerized brain imaging applications). These interests led to a rather peripatetic professional existence, teaching, researching, and consulting in New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, California and, for an extended period, a cross-border existence in New Mexico and Ontario. But there was always time for art, whether preparing backdrops for theatrical productions, cartoons for newsletters, or producing paintings that took ribbons, were purchased at open shows, and are now widely dispersed among private owners in the U.S., Canada, Engl and and Australia. In 2001 (with Professor Emeritus status), Bill left academia and now devotes full time to art. Since both sons are artists, Bill feels that his most important contribution in life has been to the gene pool.

The diversity of his life is reflected in his approach and subject matter that range from observations of humankind, the U.S. southwest, sea scenes, fantasies, and early Central American native glyphs. The theme dictates the approach and the medium, but the main goal is to "grab eyeballs" by presenting a subject in a manner that commands attention whether it is color, form (e.g. Mayan glyphs), a political comment, or human nature. Once the viewer is attracted, many of the subjects invite further scruti ny and thought. Most works are representational: I've a purpose in mind and I want the observer to grasp it immediately and unequivocally. My techniques and topics vary widely but that characterizes my life. If observers can relate at any cognitive/emotive level to what I've presented, then I have achieved success no matter what the disposition of the painting. I like to play with color and forms and to create fantasies but these are often diversions, a respite from my priority which is to explore and characterize human existence and situations .Many of these works are provocative and controversial but I feel that art is a necessary and effective way of exposing and examining personal and social issues.

Bill works out of Baden, Ontario, where he maintains his studio, and Ellicottville, N.Y. He is a member of the Western N.Y. Art Group (Buffalo), the Cattaraugus County (N.Y.) Art Council, the Waterloo Community Art Center (Ontario), the Cambridge Art Center (Ontario), Gallery 96 (Stratford, Ontario), and the Kitchener-Waterloo Society of Artists (Ontario). In western N.Y., his works have been on display at The Art Dialogue Gallery (Buffalo)and the Delynn Gallery (Franklinville) where he was a featured artist in 2005. In Canada his works have been hung at the Kitchener KOR Gallery, Gallery 96 in Stratford and the Waterloo Community Art Center. In September 2005, Bill launched a 60 piece solo exhibit in Waterloo which, judging by attendance, sales and media coverage, was most successful.

Phone: 519-634-8937
E-mail: bill.corning@sympatico.ca