Robin F. Williams' 'Act Natural' Pop-Up at Frieze No. 9 Cork Street Explores Techno-Dystopia

Brooklyn-based artist Robin F. Williams presents a suite of new paintings in a pop-up exhibition titled 'Act Natural' at P·P·O·W's space at Frieze's No. 9 Cork Street in London, on view through October 24. The works capture a techno-dystopia where humanity and machines merge, blending pop culture and art history. A central painting depicts a nude figure in bed, fingers glowing red, staring catatonically at a navy phone while a vibrant infinity symbol loops around the device. 'The Merminator' (2026), oil on linen, 60 x 40 inches, combines an '80s cyborg assassin and a Disney princess into a metallic bot perched on a stone, echoing Ariel's longing for a world that won't accept it. 'I Am Not a Robot' (2026), acrylic and oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches, draws composition and palette from Hilma af Klint's spiritualist abstractions and Botticelli's 'Madonna of the Pomegranate,' replacing the life-giving fruit with a radiating phone. Other works include 'Holy Thirst Trap' (2026), oil on linen, 42 x 30 inches; 'Language Model' (2026), oil on canvas, 60 x 54 inches; 'Spooky Action at a Distance' (2026), acrylic and oil on canvas, 60 x 44 inches; and 'Infinite Scroll' (2026), shown in detail. The exhibition title 'Act Natural' underscores the uncanny, too-sleek world Williams portrays, which exudes technology's allure alongside its horror. More of Williams' work can be seen on Instagram.