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Lorna Johnson

Leeds
Artist based in Leeds, Interested in heritage, folklore and forgotten industries

Working predominantly to make artist-made objects, sculptural installations/assemblages and collage, my work is inclusive and experimental. Whilst there is a respect for the traditions of the techniques,  I strive to offer a refreshing open approach to the materials and methods that might be utilised.

My instinct as an artist is to cherrypick and I see this as part of my role as an artist.  I am drawn to objects and materials where the monetary value is questionable: materials, objects, trades etc. that could be perceived as more disposable and non-precious i.e. it’s not made of gold, something else can replace it, not usually kept for long, there’s only a scrap left.  Visually this is explored through the combinations of materials and quantities of items that I choose to use and make, and the association’s people may have with both material and object. This is currently taking a central role to the research I am conducting as part of my practice-led PhD research at Leeds University; Yorkshire Hoards – Understanding the objective/ subjective value of the objects we continue to earmark, lay, maintain, stow, put away through the artist’s edit.

 

Solo Exhibtions: 

2019

  • July: To earmark, Project Space, School of Fine Art, Art History and Cultural Studies, Leeds University, Leeds  
  • July: Deconstructing the West Yorkshire Hoard, Studio G.09, School of Fine Art, Art History, Cultural Studies, Leeds University, Leeds 

Group Exhibitions:

2018   

  • Sept: St Margaret of Antioch Exhibition, Left Bank Leeds,Leeds                                   

 2017

  • Aug: Editions, The Gallery at Munro House, Leeds

2016

  • May: The Victorian Dinner Table, Leeds Library, Leeds

2015

  • Sept: Artist book exhibition at Staithes Festival, Staithes Festival Of Arts And Heritage 2015 
  • Aug - Nov: Del azul mar al negro abysmal, Museo Maritimo Del Cantabrico, Santander 
  • June - July: South Square Gallery, Thornton, Bradford 
  • March: Curio•sea•ty, Project Space, East Street Arts, Leeds 

2014

  • Oct - Nov: Leeds Revisited, BIG-Gallery, Dortmund, Germany
  • Oct: So Far So Awesome: The [Re] Enchantment Imperative, Fountains Hall, Fountains Abbey, Ripon
  • Aug: The Whales of August, Wayfarers, Brooklyn, USA

2013

  • Nov – Dec: My Head is an Animal, South Square Gallery, Thornton, Bradford
  • Oct: Salon Show, East Street Arts, Leeds
  • Sept: Sampler – East Street Arts on Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York, USA
  • March: Leeds International Book Fair, Parkinson Court, University of Leeds, Leeds
  • Feb-May: S’Long As It’s Yours, Gallery Aferro, Newark, New Jersey, USA

2011

  • May-June: Lost Properties, FAB – Bath’s Annual Fringe Visual Arts Festival, Bath
  • Dec: The One Day Salon, East Street Arts, Leeds
  • Oct: Drawing Connections, Siena Art Institute, Siena
  • Oct: 3rd Sheffield International Artist's Book Prize, Bank Street Arts, Sheffield
  • Sept: Vending Machine: an Installation, Elysium Gallery & ART-E-MOTION: Microclima, Venice                                                                           
  • July-Sept: CART, Current Gallery, Baltimore, USA
  • June: Benefit Exhibition/Auction, Gallery Aferro  Newark, New Jersey, USA
  • June: Holmfirth Art Festival, Owd Towser, Holmfirth, Huddersfield
  • March: Home from Home, 14th Contemporary Artists’ Book Fair, Leeds
  • Jan: The January Sales, Bank Street Arts, Sheffield

2010

  • July: The Canvas project Volume 3, Art House Co-op, Brooklyn Library, NY, USA
  • June: Benefit Exhibition/Auction, Gallery Aferro, Newark, New Jersey, USA
  • Jan: The Big Sale, Bank Street Arts, Sheffield

2009

  • Dec: The Big Hang, Bank Street Arts, Sheffield
  • June: Benefit Exhibition/Auction, Gallery Aferro, Newark, New Jersey, USA
  • May: Leeds Art Fair 2009, The Light, Leeds - Exhibition publicity artist
  • Feb-Mar: Salon Doppelganger 09, Torhaus Rombergpark Stadtische Galerie Dortmund,Germany     

2008

  • Nov: Salon, Patrick Studios, East Street Arts, Leeds  
  • Nov: Multitude - The Studio Programme, East Street Arts, Leeds  
  • June-Aug: Time and Space, The Bowery, Leeds
  • May: On Your Wall Too, Leeds Metropolitan Gallery, Leeds

2007

  • Nov-Dec: RGB, South Square Gallery, Thornton 
  • Sept: Miniature Art Show, 42 New Briggate Gallery, Leeds
  • April: Springboard, in collaboration with Selection Box and the Route Map Scheme, Leeds

2006 - 2003

  • Dec: Postcard Show, Surface Gallery, Nottingham 
  • Sept: Open Exhibition, Hope Gallery, Halifax           
  • July: Annual Open Exhibition, Leeds City Art Gallery, Leeds                     
  • June - July: Lost and Found, Lancaster University Degree Show, The Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster    

 

Art fairs:

  • Aug 12: P(AF) NYC, 82 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012,USA
  • July 11:Parallax Art Fair, La Galleria, Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall, London

Collaborative Projects:

  • Jun 14 - Mar 15: Curio•sea•ty, Arts council funded project - a collaboration with Hondartza Fraga
  • July - Aug 12: In-Tension, Leeds  - Mail art project
  • Oct 11: Headlies, Vanguard Exhibition as part of the Contemporary Experimental Art Archive, London                                          

Collections:

  • Oct 11: Siena Art Institute, Siena
  • Oct 11: Bank Street Arts, Sheffield
  • July 10: Brooklyn Library, NY, USA
  • June 09,10, 11: Gallery Aferro, Newark, New Jersey, USA

Commissioned Projects:

  • May 2016: The Victorian Dinner Table, Leeds Gallery, Leeds Library, Leeds
  • Dec 15 - Feb 16?: East Street Arts, Art Hostel ‘Curio•sea•ty’ room commission, Leeds
  • April 2013: Woolgather Vending Machine Project, Leeds

Competitions:

  • April-May 08: Northern Design Competition 2008 - Panel Judge

 Residencies:

  • Nov – Dec 10: Holding your knife and fork properly, Bank Street Arts, Sheffield

 

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