Williams (b. 1959) grew up in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. His father and grandfather both sang opera and in his teens he began to take extras parts in productions at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. He was due to read physics at University College, London when the seventh cavalry arrived over the hill in the shape of punk rock. He worked the lights for the bands Deaf School and Stiff Little Fingers, then in the early 80's joined forces with the now legendary U2.
Williams' work has served as a conduit between the worlds of fine art and the mass culture of live music performance. His ideas have always demonstrated the influence of a vigorous engagement with art and his designs for performance environments have included collaborations with visual artists such as Roy Lichtenstein in 1997 and Julian Opie in 2005. Williams' solo work, executed at a more intimate scale, acts as a laboratory for research and experiment as well as being an end in itself. Echoes of his handmade and often eccentric creations surface from time to time in his public works - such as a stage comprised of one hundred ropelight sculptures, or a concert lighting system made from East German 'Trabant' cars.
Light has been a primary theme of his practice as an artist. His installation, Vigil for Canterbury Cathedral, sent light pouring 50m down into the nave from the 16th century Bell Harry Tower, and was shown alongside Antony Gormley's Rise as part of the nationwide exhibition Presence in 2004. Williams has been responsible for several light-based installations at London's Southbank Centre.
In July 2007 the first incarnation of his gallery installation Lumia Domestica debuted at the Turnpike Gallery in Greater Manchester, with further shows following in London and at the Science Gallery of Trinity College, Dublin.
Williams has collaborated with Kronos Quartet, most notably on Sun Rings, an evening-length multimedia production commissioned by NASA. Other work in the performing arts field includes designing for the legendary Montréal based dance company La La La Human Steps and most recently a collaboration with Laurie Anderson.
Williams has a longstanding interest in photography and was recently made a member of the Honorary Campaign Council of The Photographers' Gallery, Soho.