Lorna Johnson
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