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Although johnson's works are grounded in figures and portraiture, he intentionally avoids realism in his paintings. He uses his art to scrutinize the suppression of Blackness in society, which he sees as a form of activism and dissent.Label
"With "Pretty Boy Barry" artist barry johnson presents to his audience a vision into his
intimate creative practice. Currently on view at A-gallery in Seattle's Occidental Park,
this exhibition is host to three large-scale paintings and a ground installation displayed
on a bed of red, pink and yellow rose petals. The self-portraits debuted in the space
cast johnson in bright colors and stylized settings - his characteristic hyper-pop
approach to figuration.
The precision and attention to detail seen here demonstrate johnson's authentic desire
to fuse together multiple facets of his artistic career. Rested on the floor amidst the
flowers are a broken gold crown, two deflated, gold painted basketballs (also present in
So What), Will Smith's memoir, sketchbooks and paint dripped sculptures - all of which
serve as personal, compositional accents in the portraits hung above. This style of
painting combines the artist's recent creative pursuits most emblematically with his
2016 "fixated" series wherein he painted large compilations of images from pop-culture
collaged together as a unit. We could similarly interpret this new collection as "collages"
of time, history, and individual growth. Presenting "Pretty Boy Barry" in this manner
affords gallery-goers a unique glimpse into an innermost studio setting. It feels a rarity
to be so forthcoming, to bare the layered complexity behind each piece. Without
revealing everything this suite of works is a testament to john son's honest intentionality
as his practice continues to evolve."