Eye Contact
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Opening Reception August 13th, 2022 4pm-6pm Show runs from - August 13th, 2022 - October 29th, 2022 |
(Click above image for press kit)
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(These six images represent a small percentage of the entire exhibit - see the full exhibit in person or contact us for addition images and info on the entire exhibit.)
Artist - Amanda Johnson
Statement
Black eye liner, nail polish, glitter, “who am I?”, coming of age, sex …more black eyeliner. Sexy, fish nets, skulls, Play-Doh, naked, icon, restraints, restriction, eyes, all seeing eyes, overseer, aliens, not of this earth, glitter, hair, flowers, mirrors, self reflection, death, fantasy, after life, other worldly, amber, time capsule, “we are not alone.”
These mixed media tablets sprung to life in a vision I had- more of a dream, really. Looking back they feel like I was quite literally cracked open and a sort of liquid primordial ooze poured out. Unable to keep a written diary as of late, I felt compelled to encapsulate certain feelings and ideas. These 23 tablets document an intense period of self reflection and embody a certain chapter of my life driven by transition.
I have found myself over the past few years roaming my local beauty supply and dollar stores. I find these types of stores fascinating, I see our society as well as myself reflected in what the aisles are stocked with. I have amassed a collection of personal favorite pieces from these stores over the years, and drew from my collection to create this particular body of works.
Using unconventional materials I was driven to play, take risks, incorporate ideas and process some big feelings into a new media. These tablets are created with multiple layers of epoxy resin, paint and found objects assembled over a period of time. Like layers of skin and protective tissues, these pieces document and preserve what is underneath my surface.
I am debuting this collection for the first time in Baltimore as a show of my eternal gratitude for my hometown. This body of work would not be possible without my early life experiences here.
These mixed media tablets sprung to life in a vision I had- more of a dream, really. Looking back they feel like I was quite literally cracked open and a sort of liquid primordial ooze poured out. Unable to keep a written diary as of late, I felt compelled to encapsulate certain feelings and ideas. These 23 tablets document an intense period of self reflection and embody a certain chapter of my life driven by transition.
I have found myself over the past few years roaming my local beauty supply and dollar stores. I find these types of stores fascinating, I see our society as well as myself reflected in what the aisles are stocked with. I have amassed a collection of personal favorite pieces from these stores over the years, and drew from my collection to create this particular body of works.
Using unconventional materials I was driven to play, take risks, incorporate ideas and process some big feelings into a new media. These tablets are created with multiple layers of epoxy resin, paint and found objects assembled over a period of time. Like layers of skin and protective tissues, these pieces document and preserve what is underneath my surface.
I am debuting this collection for the first time in Baltimore as a show of my eternal gratitude for my hometown. This body of work would not be possible without my early life experiences here.
Biography
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Amanda Johnson’s striking and vibrant work often blurs the lines between fine art and design, creating instruments of self-expression and joy. Her hand-painted lampshades, custom textiles, and wearable art are created with a sense of empowerment and identity, giving tribute to the beauty of persona.Amanda’s work documents moments of divine intervention, mortal struggle and triumph, and the process of her own personal life. Her subject matter often depicts women as powerful mythological figures. In her compositions, she explores these themes using simplified shapes, intricate patterns, and color so that the viewer can interpret their own self within the work.
Artist’s Background Amanda's creative aptitude flourished from early childhood. Her formal education focused primarily on painting and her love of fashion and self-expression led her to an early career in film and television production where she fulfilled her passion as a successful costume designer and makeup artist. Amanda Johnson is a native of Baltimore and attended Baltimore High School for the Arts graduating with honors and a continuing education scholarship. She earned her BFA and Fine Arts diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Boston and the Tufts School. Soon thereafter she majored in Portrait Painting, continuing her education in Museum Studies at the Harvard Extension School. Miss Johnson then traveled to Greece and studied the history of art, further broadening her formal academic foundation. In 2015, Amanda and her husband & business partner James Knill opened the Amanda James Gallery, located in Delray Beach, Florida. The Amanda James Gallery houses the Amanda Johnson Studio boutique and studio in addition to James' custom framing, fine art textiles, and fine art gallery. |