William Crawford's drawings were discovered in an abandoned house in Oakland, California. His work brings to mind characteristics of prison drawings, an impression confirmed by the fact that several were made on the backs of prison roster sheets dated 1997. The drawings, which resemble the eroticism of Eric Stanton, the exaggerated male anatomy of Tom of Finland or the ample breasts of a John Currin, show scantily dressed women, drug use, cuckolding and orgies. The details of his interiors, the hairdos and style of dress suggest that Crawford might have come of age in the late 70s or early 80s. A cast of recurring figures populate the drawings, notably one man with a short afro and a moustache who often figures at the center of events, presumably the artist William Crawford himself. Other than information drawn from the archive itself, nothing is known about his life. Indeed, we only know his name because he signed just a few of the drawings, either as Bill, William or WM Crawford.

320 pages, 159 drawings
9 x 6 in.
Perfect bound paperback
ISBN 9781941556115

Published by Ampersand Editions, 2015
Edition of 300 copies