Robert Peter Williams, born on the 13th of February, 1974, is a renowned English vocalist and lyricist. He rose to prominence as a member of the popular ensemble Take That, a stint that spanned from 1990 to 1995, subsequently embarking on a solo journey in 1996. In 1997, he unveiled his inaugural studio album titled "Life thru a Lens," which notably featured his distinctive track, "Angels." His second album, "I've Been Expecting You," showcased hit singles like "Millennium" and "She's the One," both of which secured the top spot on the charts, marking his maiden number one tracks. With a tally of seven chart-topping singles in the UK and all but one of his 14 studio albums ascending to the No. 1 position in the UK, his discography underscores his musical success.
Six of his albums are positioned within the upper echelons of the UK's 100 highest-selling albums, with two of them firmly seated within the top 60. His accomplishments also encompass an impressive achievement recorded in 2006, as he clinched a Guinness World Record by vending an astounding 1.6 million tickets in the span of a single day for his Close Encounters Tour.
Williams' laurels are highlighted by an unparalleled tally of 18 Brit Awards, inclusive of four victories in the Best British Male Artist category, dual wins for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and an Icon Award for his indelible imprint on British culture. His prowess extended to international acclaim, securing eight German ECHO Awards and three MTV European Music Awards. Notably, his impact was so profound that in 2004, he was inducted into the esteemed UK Music Hall of Fame, securing this honor after being voted as the preeminent artist of the 1990s.
Acknowledging his commercial triumphs, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has validated his solo endeavors, bestowing certifications for over 20.26 million albums and 8.6 million singles in the UK. He's also asserted his musical dominance globally, with five of his albums reigning supreme on the Australian albums chart and a staggering worldwide record sale of 75 million units, thus solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished music artists in history. Furthermore, he claimed the summit of the 2000–2010 UK airplay chart.
His prowess as a live performer was evident in the three monumental concerts held at Knebworth in 2003, which collectively attracted an audience exceeding 375,000 attendees, signifying a watershed moment in the UK's musical landscape. The year 2014 marked a personal accolade for Williams, as he was granted the freedom of his hometown, Stoke-on-Trent, accompanied by the dedication of a tourist trail and the christening of streets in his honor. His thirteenth opus, "XXV," made its debut on the 9th of September, 2022, continuing his legacy.
A significant juncture in his career transpired in 2010 when, after a hiatus of 15 years, Williams reunited with Take That. The outcome was the collaborative album "Progress," which garnered spectacular commercial traction, standing as the second-fastest-selling album in UK chart annals and holding the distinction of the century's swiftest-selling record at that point. The subsequent stadium tour, which melded seven of Williams' solo hits into the lineup, etched its mark as the highest-grossing concert in UK history, amassing an astonishing 1.34 million ticket sales within a mere day.
However, by 2011, Williams once again bid adieu to Take That to recenter his focus on his individual musical journey. Notably, this departure was characterized by amicability, with frontman Gary Barlow affirming Williams' enduring welcome to rejoin the band in the future. In the interim, Williams has graced three distinct television appearances alongside Take That and engaged in several collaborative ventures with Barlow, notably including contributions to the West End musical production, "The Band."
Williams and Banksy
Having accumulated substantial wealth from music sales and live performances, Williams has curated an extensive personal assortment of artworks. In the current year, he divested of two pieces by Banksy, reaping a combined £7 million from these transactions. The motive behind these sales was to liberate physical space, facilitating the acquisition of "novel artwork crafted by emerging artists." Additionally, these proceedings are expected to provide financial support for his own creative endeavors, as stated by Williams.
Robbie Williams achieved notable success by effectively selling a pair of Banksy artworks through an auction, amassing a total of £7 million.
The vocalist offered renditions of the pieces "Kissing Coppers," "Girl with Balloon," and "Vandalised Oils (Choppers)" from his personal collection for bidding proceedings in January.
The auction house responsible, Sotheby's, concluded the sales of two of these pieces on Wednesday, the 2nd of March 2022.
The artwork titled "Vandalised Oils (Choppers)," presumed to convey an "anti-war" sentiment, garnered slightly under £4.4 million. Its initial projected value was placed in the range of £2.5 million to £3.5 million.
"Girl With Balloon" achieved a price of £2.8 million, following an initial valuation spanning from £2 million to £3 million. Williams initially acquired this painting directly from Banksy in 2006. However, the graffiti-style depiction originally emerged beneath Waterloo Bridge in London in 2002. Both of these recently transacted pieces rank among the most instantly recognizable creations by the enigmatic street artist. "Girl With Balloon" holds a particular distinction due to its canvas iteration being dramatically shredded at an auction in 2018, immediately after it had been sold for £1 million.
Hugo Cobb from Sotheby's aptly described the significance of these works during their original auction listing earlier in the year: "These pieces bring together the cultural legacies of two of Britain's prominent figures: Robbie Williams and Banksy. In a manner akin to their creator and possessor, they exude acerbic wit, iconic representation, irreverence, and unparalleled distinctiveness."
In addition, according to Sotheby's website, artists represented in Williams' collection include Peter Blake, Christopher Page, Morris Wade, Tracey Emin, Christopher Page, Jim Page Roberts and Jonas Wood.
Williams as a painter
Renowned singer-songwriter Robbie Williams and his close companion and creative collaborator, Ed Godrich, have dedicated the past five years to crafting authentic art in tandem. In May 2022, the dynamic duo is poised to unveil a set of innovative creations — a collection of 14 previously unrevealed canvases. This special presentation will take place at a dedicated selling exhibition hosted by none other than Sotheby's, signifying the inaugural public showcase of their combined artistic output. Their partnership, as described in their own words, is founded on the pillars of "friendship, communication, respect, and trust." The genesis of their artistic camaraderie sprouted from a mutual affinity for Abstraction and Outsider Art, fostering an environment that prompted them to delve into collaborative artistic endeavors. This collective effort has yielded an impressive portfolio of creations that, over the course of time, has grown to encompass a multitude of pieces — numbering in the hundreds. Their artistic expression is deeply intertwined with a nostalgic connection to the 1990s rave and music scene, which emanates from their works in the form of vibrant, euphoric, and rhythmically alive aesthetics.
In an interview with The Times, Williams disclosed that his inspiration for the art project was ignited by viewing Banksy's documentary, "Exit Through the Gift Shop." He recounted the impact, saying, "As I watched it, I was taken aback by a realization: Art isn't some exclusive domain. Anyone has the potential to engage in it." This revelation prompted Williams to take action. He recounted, "I ventured down to the art-supply store and procured an assortment of materials. I initiated my creative journey in my garage, producing pieces that were far from stellar in quality, yet that marked the inception of my exploration. Over time, my skills advanced, and I transitioned from creating subpar works to gradually achieving a level of proficiency."
Sotheby’s debut
Trish, Sharon, Janet, Debbie, Denise, Donna, Jacqui, Joanne, Kim, Lorraine, Mandy, Paula, Sandra and Tina - these names have remained under wraps until last year. In 2022 these 14 distinct works of art created through the creative alliance of pop sensation Robbie Williams and his collaborator Ed Godrich were unveiled at Sotheby's located in the heart of London.
The titles, intriguingly alluding to women's names that were prevalent during Williams' formative years in Stoke-on-Trent, are not the sole unifying element among these works. Executed in a monochromatic palette on a grand scale, these pieces are the fruit of a five-year partnership and exude a distinct thematic coherence.
According to Hugo Cobb, a specialist in contemporary art at Sotheby's, Robbie and Ed consider these paintings as a collective body of work. He emphasizes that although they share a common visual language, each painting possesses an individualistic character, distinctive visual mood, and defined authenticity. Cobb points to the themes of coherence, ambition, and authenticity as prevailing in the presence of these artworks.
One of the artworks from this series, titled "Beverly," achieved remarkable success at a recent Sotheby's auction, selling for £40,000, double the highest pre-sale estimation. Williams expressed that he and Ed are now prepared to divulge their creative vision to the world, aspiring for their audience to experience positivity, curiosity, and the uncovering of new facets with each contemplation of their paintings.
Working under the alias "Williams Godrich," the collaborative pair executed these 14 works on substantial polystyrene panels, a medium that contributes a distinctive texture to their creations. The process of layering details brings the characters to life, with their emergence often influenced by serendipity and the direction of brushstrokes. The collaboration between Williams and Godrich gives birth to multi-layered narratives within each piece, as they contribute distinct elements, culminating in the birth of a wholly unique entity.
The titles of these artworks emerged from a fondness for the obscurity of names that were once widespread during the 1980s, a decade that profoundly influences their art. In a video by Sotheby's, Williams traced his artistic curiosity back to album covers, which initially captivated him due to their images. This early connection between art and music eventually led to the formation of an "art band" with Godrich, providing Williams with a new creative avenue to explore.
Cobb highlighted the significance of the debut collaboration between Williams and Godrich, emphasizing their dedication and energy invested in this venture. While their future collectability remains uncertain, the unveiling of these artworks represents a pivotal and exciting moment in their artistic journey.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
