William Quigley (born 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a highly regarded American painter known for his dynamic explorations of portraiture, abstraction, and American themes. Educated at the Philadelphia College of Art, University of Pennsylvania, Tyler School of Art in Rome, and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Fine Arts, Quigley launched his career in 1985 with an exhibition alongside Andy Warhol at the Henry McNeil Gallery. Quigley quickly became part of the vibrant New York and Los Angeles art scenes, exhibiting with iconic artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Julian Schnabel, while his work in set design extended to music videos for artists like Madonna and Prince.
Quigley’s wide-ranging practice encompasses painting, sculpture, and multimedia projects that blend influences from Abstract Expressionism, Urban Realism, and street art, often centered on cultural figures and American history. His acclaimed series—such as Boxers (chronicling the history and drama of boxing) and Civil War (examining freedom and Black culture)—demonstrate both technical prowess and an ongoing engagement with social narratives. Over his career, Quigley’s work has entered more than 450 collections worldwide, and he has painted commissioned portraits for figures like President Bill Clinton, Shaquille O’Neal, and Donald Trump. Continuously inventive, he maintains active studios in New York and East Hampton, and his art has been recognized internationally for its immediacy, emotional resonance, and distinctive voice.