Loud But Unreadable

Loud But Unreadable is a pared-down version of William Waggoner’s 2023 museum solo show Conditions Normal, featuring 20 Pop Art pieces in a smaller, more intimate gallery setting. The exhibit’s title comes from the Plain Language Radio Check lexicon, with “Loud And Clear” being the most familiar but there are more than two dozen other possible phrases. The dual designations refer to signal strength and transmission quality; “Loud But Unreadable” indicates the signal is strong but the message cannot be understood, an analogue for the often cryptic meanings behind William’s bold and colorful work.

Born and raised in central New Jersey, William Waggoner has been able to turn his self-taught talents for art into a sustainable career path when forays into other vocations proved unfulfilling. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Boston’s Emerson College, William worked in the Los Angeles film industry before returning to the East Coast, where he now resides.

William’s work is notable for its eye-catching compositions and bold use of colors, displaying a Pop Art and abstract style rich with enigmatic imagery and dynamic action. He is currently represented by Dama Gallery in Los Angeles, CA, with work available on Artsy and Singulart.

In addition to a fine arts career, William is the owner and creative director of Studio Alpha Design, a commercial arts design agency located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.