IAN JOHNSON SECCIONES EN CRUCE

POR MARGARET FAILONI

Un ejemplo perfecto del arte en el siglo XXI, el artista británico, Ian Johnson, crea una selección de obras que son lirismo puro, adoptando los principios de la simplicidad: suaves figuras geométricas, tan simples como complejas, en las que la luz y el color se yuxtaponen. Para esta exhibición en la sucursal de Valle de Bravo de la Galería Intersección, el artista presenta siete obras recientes de una marcada belleza estructural. En Amnesia Cycle PT1, 2016, Johnson nos presenta doce ‘tiras’ de bajorrelieves que representan una especie de calendario. Cada ‘tira’ es un mes y cada una consiste de una serie de líneas perfectas, entrelazadas con aparentes motivos en radio de paneles brillantemente coloreados, y cada uno de estos radios, o rayos, representando en número a los días correspondientes a cada mes.

En Untitled (Cause Effect) 2016, vemos una instalación de varios pedestales en escuadra, grises y como hechos de cemento, de distintas medidas, con objetos similares a cactus de color negro metálico descansando sobre sus superficies. El artista nos dice que estas formas pueden ser presentadas en distintas configuraciones dependiendo del espacio y la disposición del instalador. Four Corners 2016, nos presenta otra instalación de varias piezas, con un efecto asfaltado, de lo que parece ser madera quemada en algún tipo de corte transversal, semiabstracto, de un sembradío de acelgas. Casi como una continuación de su creaciones londinenses, Johnson nos presenta su Pulse Paintings (In/Out) 2016, dos paneles yuxtapuestos de aluminio en lo que parecen ser átomos bailando a través del plano pictórico.

En Level Painting #245, 2013-2016, el artista nos presenta una obra de una genialidad majestuosa por su sencillez, una serie de formas radiales, monocromáticas y grises, dentro de una pintura en bajorrelieve. Y con Untitled 4.3., 2016, vemos un joyita de obra, algo como una coquetería en la que presenciamos al artista desplegando su gran habilidad en el uso de la forma y el color. Ian Johnson vive y trabaja en México, haciendo viajes frecuentes a Londres. Su obra puede ser apreciada en varios museos europeos, en distintas colecciones privadas, y en encargos públicos alrededor de la Ciudad de México.

 

IAN JOHNSON CROSSING SECTIONS

BY MARGARET FAILONI

A perfect example of XXI century art, British born artist Ian Johnson creates a selection of work which is pure pictorial lyricism adopting the principals of simplicity: smooth geometric shapes both simple and complex where light and color are juxtaposed. For this exhibition in the Valle de Bravo branch of the Intersección Gallery, the artist presents seven recent works of structural beauty. In Amnesia Cycle PT1, 2016, he presents us with twelve bas-relief ‘strips’ representing a calendar of sorts. Each ‘strip is a month and each consists of a series of perfect lines, criss-crossed by spoke like motifs of brilliantly colored panels, each with the number of spokes representing the days in each month.

In Untitled (Cause Effect) 2016, we see an installation of various sect-angle shaped gray, cement-like plinths of various sizes with black metal cactus-like objects resting on top. The artist tells us that these forms can be presented in various different configurations depending on space and the installer’s whim. Four Corners, 2016 presents us with another installation of various bitumen-effect pieces in what appears to be burnt wood in sort of a semi-abstract cross section of a chard forest. Almost as a continuation of his London output, Johnson presents us with Pulse Paintings (In/Out), 2016, two juxtaposed aluminum panels with what appear to be atoms dancing across the picture plane.

In Level Painting #245, 2013-2016, the artist presents us with a majestically brilliant work in its simplicity, a series of monochromatic gray spoke like forms within a bas-relief/painting. And with Untitled 4.3., 2016, we see a little jewel of a work, sort of like a tease, displaying his brilliant use of form and color. Ian Johnson Lives and works in Mexico with frequent trips back to London. His work can be seen in European museums and private collections as well as important commissions in Mexico City.

IAN JOHNSON BIO

Born 1969 in Leeds, UK. Lives and works in UK-Mexico.

Estudios

Studies

1988–1991 Ba(hons) Fine Art Goldsmiths College of Art. London, England.
1990 Erasmus Scholarship L’Ecole des Beaux Arts. Montpellier, France.
1993 Young Artists Work Scholarship. Museo de Arte Contemporanea.
Castello di Rivoli. Turin, Italy.

Exposiciones Selectas

Selected Exhibitions

2014 Kind of Blue (group show). Skot Foreman Gallery. San Miguel de Allende, MX.
2013 Mapping the Territory (solo show). Skot Foreman Gallery. San Miguel de Allende, MX.
2011 Collidescope (solo show). Four Arts, Four Communicatoins. London, UK.
2011 Colour in Art (group show). Beldam Gallery, Brunel University. London, UK.
2010 Split Screen (group show). Galerie Jones. Cologne, DE.
2010 TimeScale (solo show). Gooden Gallery. London, UK.
2010 Print Now Pt.2 (group show). Bearspace. London, UK.
2010 Print Now (group show). London Art Fair. London, UK.
2009 Storm Event (group show-RVCC). Whitechapel Gallery. London, UK.
Without Borders (group show). Blank Gallery. Brighton, UK.
2006 Eidos (two-person show). VineSpace, Vyner Street. London, UK.
2006 Liminal Phase (group show). Highbury Studios. London, UK.
2006 FT ‘06 (group show). Florence Trust Studios. London, UK.
2006 Small Works (group show). VineSpace, Vyner Street. London, UK.
2006 Painting Concepts (group show). VineSpace, Vyner Street. London, UK.
2006 Arts Unwrapped. Florence Trust Open Studios. London, UK.
2002 Climate Drawings (solo show). Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax, UK.
2002 Canning House. London, UK.

2001 Red Oxide (solo show). Ollintla Gallery, Oaxaca, MX.
2001 Angel Azul Gallery, Oaxaca, MX.
2000 ‘Political Dialogue’ Installation (solo show). Space Open Studios, London, UK.
1999 Imagining Developments (group show). Worldwrite Centre, London, UK.
1997 ‘El Observatorio’ Installation (solo show). El Puente Centro Cultural, S.C.L.C. Chiapas, MX.
1995 ‘Tropical Cancer’ Installation (solo show). Copperfield Road Studios, London, UK.
1994 Whitechapel Open. Copperfield Road Studios, London, UK.
1993 ‘Cross-Over’ Installation (group show). Genius Loci, London, UK.
1992 Sheffield Media Show (group show). City Polytechnic, Sheffield, UK.
1991 ‘Ian Johnson / Daisuke Minowa’. Kepler Gallery, London, UK.

Premios

Awards

2005 Florence Trust–International Artist Studio Residency. St. Saviours, Aberdeen Park, London, UK.
2002 France-Amerique-Latine (FAL). ‘Towards a new Autonomy for Young People’. European/Latin American Conference. Paris, France.
1998 Natura 2000/Un idee du Monde. Encuentro Multilateral en Monfrague, Estremadura, Spain
1994 INJEP/France-Amerique-Latine (FAL). ‘Le role des Jeunes dans le developpement local des societes multi-culturelles’ European / Latin American Conference. Athens, Greece.
1993 ‘Genius Loci’ Artists Group London Arts Board Installation Grant.
1993 Un Idee du Monde. Research Grant: Ecuador, Colombia.
1999 Young Artists Work Scholarship. Museo de Arte Contemporanea, Castello di Rivoli. Torino, Italy.
1990 Erasmus Travel Scholarship. L’Ecole des Beaux Arts, Montpellier, France.
1989 Unipart Sculpture Award. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK.