VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The G Gallery in the Heights presents the exhibition The Johnsons: work by Erika Pochybova Johnson and James W Johnson . On view through March.  Opening Reception March 5, 2011 from 6:00 until 8:00pm.

Erika Pochybova Johnson is a full-time, self-taught artist. Erika was born in former Czechoslovakia. She immigrated to Texas in late 1996 and became a U.S. citizen in 2006. Erika's work utilizes an intricate painting technique and metaphoric imagery. Erika has developed a very unique style that blends contemporary aesthetics with European folk art.

Artist’s Statement - My current work utilizes an elaborate painting technique and metaphoric imagery to comment on everyday life. This unique style blends contemporary aesthetics with European folk art. My process is not predetermined but developed intuitively and improvisationally as I work. Visionary images are created by collapsing the three-dimensional realm into a two-dimensional veil of color spots that is intended to send the eye in pursuit of the enigmatic. But if the paintings can’t get you there, words won’t bail me out.

James W Johnson was born and raised in Upstate NY and moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1978. He received an MFA from Texas Tech University in 1981 and has continued to live in Lubbock as a fulltime studio artist. In February, 2011, James was co-winner of the 2011 Willian D Kerns Award for the Visual Arts from the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts.

Johnson has studied and made art for more than 35 years. While being primarily a painter, he has produced a large and complex body of work which includes over 2000 unique pieces in a wide variety of mediums such painting, video, drawing, sculpture, etching, digital, mixed media and furniture. James W Johnson has participated in over 170 exhibitions worldwide and has over 700 pieces included in more than 200 public and private collections on five continents. (Resume available here.)

Living “outside” of the mainstream art world has allowed James to perfect his craft and independently pursue an impressive flow of ideas and images that defy categorization, yet present his observations about art and life from his unique perspective.

Artist's Statement - As an artist, I present my observations about life and art without regard for continuity of "style".

Pictured above:  Harmony, a collaborative work.