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LATITUDE: NEW PAINTINGS BY CLAY JOHNSON
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 6, 5 - 8pm April 6 - May 11, 2019 |
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
George Billis Gallery is pleased to present Latitude: New Paintings by Clay Johnson - on view through May 11th. This exhibition features the artist’s minimal, abstract paintings inspired by the landscapes of the American West. This is Johnson's first solo show with George Billis Gallery Los Angeles.
In his paintings, Johnson explores the relationships between formal elements such as color, texture, proportion, etc., and the ability of those relationships to create an abstract narrative. Horizontal divisions of the picture plane tend to invoke comparisons to landscape. While Johnson doesn’t intend these as literal horizon lines, he is inspired by the great landscapes of Wyoming and the feeling of open space associated with those vistas. With each section of a painting extending across the entire surface, from one edge to the other, there is the sense that those spaces might extend infinitely beyond the edges of the painting. That breathing room gives the artist the latitude to create whatever story he feel fits the context of a particular painting.
Clay Johnson was born and raised in Durham, NC, where he studied Studio Art and Art History at Duke University, receiving a B.A. degree in 1985. He then worked for several years as assistant to painter Robert Natkin in Connecticut and New York City. Clay's work has been exhibited widely at galleries across the country. He began his current series of work shortly after relocating to Wyoming, and, while essentially non-objective, the paintings contain a sense of the wide open landscape of the American west. Clay currently lives and works in Laramie, Wyoming.
Back to Artist's Page
In his paintings, Johnson explores the relationships between formal elements such as color, texture, proportion, etc., and the ability of those relationships to create an abstract narrative. Horizontal divisions of the picture plane tend to invoke comparisons to landscape. While Johnson doesn’t intend these as literal horizon lines, he is inspired by the great landscapes of Wyoming and the feeling of open space associated with those vistas. With each section of a painting extending across the entire surface, from one edge to the other, there is the sense that those spaces might extend infinitely beyond the edges of the painting. That breathing room gives the artist the latitude to create whatever story he feel fits the context of a particular painting.
Clay Johnson was born and raised in Durham, NC, where he studied Studio Art and Art History at Duke University, receiving a B.A. degree in 1985. He then worked for several years as assistant to painter Robert Natkin in Connecticut and New York City. Clay's work has been exhibited widely at galleries across the country. He began his current series of work shortly after relocating to Wyoming, and, while essentially non-objective, the paintings contain a sense of the wide open landscape of the American west. Clay currently lives and works in Laramie, Wyoming.
Back to Artist's Page
George Billis Gallery opened its second location in the Culver City area of Los Angeles in 2004 and marks its 22nd year in the Chelsea arts district in New York City. George Billis shows work by both emerging and established artists. For more information please contact the gallery at:
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: [email protected]
www.georgebillis.com
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: [email protected]
www.georgebillis.com
