So What, by barry johnson, artist's website

So What, by barry johnson, artist's website

Name/Title

So What

Entry/Object ID

2023.1.5

Description

Oil and latex on canvas, full length portrait painting, of the artist standing near a table with paint brushes, photographs and books on top, painted canvases rest on the floor behind, and a round portrait on the back wall. Both the artist and background exhibit flat expanse of color, evocative of color field abstract expressionism.

Type of Painting

Easel

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

barry johnson

Role

Painter

Date made

2022

Dimensions

Height

72 in

Width

48 in

Copyright

Copyright Holder

barry johnson

Interpretative Labels

Label

johnson considers much of his figurative work to be a form of protest: Black bodies taking up space. He doesn't intend for the figures to command attention, but rather simply exist. johnson often incorporates elements of abstraction, graffiti, and street art into his current paintings.

Label

This was the first piece that I created for "Pretty Boy Barry." I wanted to create something showing me in my studio process surrounded by my work. All around me you'll see past works in mixed media, sculpture, and some of my portraits from the "between the sheets" series. On my drawing desk there's a pile of books that I read last year...Unprotected by Billy Porter, Will by Will Smith, From Staircase to the Stage by Raekwon, and Mastry by Kerry James Marshall.