William Rock, is both a citizen of Ireland and the U.S. His lifelong creative explorations are grounded with a vast knowledge and respect for many diverse cultures and traditions. Rock studied drawing at The California Art Institute and The Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles.
William Rock taught himself to paint and sculpt by traveling to museums around the world. He lived in Paris and spent months copying the paintings of the old masters. He has appeared on WJAN television in Cleveland and KDKA in Pittsburgh discussing his art and the nature of the creative process and the value of an artistic education.
For two years William Rock painted with Chinese brush and ink and has immersed himself in Eastern thought and practice for fifteen years. Rock has studied meditation with Tibetan and Chan monks. He considers the art making process to be a form of active meditation. He is particularly interested in bridging Eastern and Western culture through the language of fine art.
"William Rock's paintings propose a consideration of art springing from the world beyond the rational, intellectual realm. The regions these sublime images serve to connect, irritate the boundaries and categories that not only Western culture, but art culture tends to implement...his work taps into the mystical traditions which are as old as humanity itself." -Reviewer New Art Examiner
William Rock has had his art displayed at The Carnegie Museum of Art in shows curated by Helaine Posner and Beryl Wright. His work has also been displayed in a studio group show at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In 2003, The Kearns Spirituality Center at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, commissioned him to create a centerpiece for their internationally recognized labyrinth. Rock spent six months carving a 300 million-year old petrified tree trunk, considered one of the hardest stones to carve. Rock used a pneumatic chisel and a water-powered diamond blade carver. The carved center stone diplays images found in Eastern and Western cultures. The labyrinth and its center stone has been visited by thousands of people.
For five years William Rock explored the nature of self through art. He created over a hundred images he calls 'self-transcendent' portraits. In 2006, these portraits inspired an elaborate arts event in Pittsburgh entitled 'Spirit Unfolding'. The event featured William Rock's art at The Mendelson Gallery and also at Carnegie Mellon Universities College of Fine Arts.
"Rock's multi-layered works represent the process of self-transformation through the presentation of portraits that seemingly emerge from each richly painted surface. they are transcendent works that perfectly serve to underscore the transcendent themes of the 'Spirit Unfolding' event." -Kurt Shaw, art critic, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
The inspiration was William Rock's artwork...Rock completes his multi-layered portraits while in a rhythmic state informed by ancient mystical traditions. " To exist apart from the self is to encounter what some may call the divine or others may call pure awareness..."-Mary Thomas, art critic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The events inspired by William Rock's art were held over the course of a month at several venues with a grande finale at Carnegie Mellon University. The events included poetry (with world renowned poet Huang Xiang), dance and music. Rock also gave a talk and held a dialogue entitled 'art and transcendence'. The events were attended by hundreds of people.
William Rock explains, "One ancient text states, 'truth is one; the sages speak of it in many ways', art is a great gift."
Rock, performing poetry with the great Chinese poet Huang Xiang and his wife, the writer Zhang Ling at Rock's art opening - Mendelson Gallery Oct. 6, 2006.
William Rock teaching 'Art and Spirituality' class held at Carnegie Mellon University , 2007
William Rock, with Tibetan Lama, Tempa Dukte Lama, teaching 'Art and Sprituality' class held at The Carnegie Museum of Art
Huang Xiang and William Rock before their show at The Mellon Institute, 2008