graphite, ink on pastel paper (Courtesy of Howard Yezerski Gallery)
Artist Biography
Howard Johnson’s main focus is an imaginary world view; a darkly humorous amalgam of mythic images reinterpreted as Pop Culture. Animation becomes a form of primitiveness representing the lifestyle of a era. Periods of time and historical events are blended occur simultaneously. An element of intended goofiness, whimsy, and wit runs throughout the image subject. Content is influenced by the Surrealist Era of Picasso, Max Ernst, Picabia, and contemporaries such as Jim Nutt. Peter Saul, George Condo, Philip Guston, and others of that genre. Each facet of The Work becomes a center of interest; all equally rendered so as there are no lax spots in the finished piece.