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Brett John Johnson  Artist Statement This work came from a personal fascination with visual tools and observation. The simple act of looking combined with a basic tool such as a lens or mirror alters our perception and preconceived ideas of the visual world. Space, time, light, and movement are layered into abstract and conceptual ideas. The viewer has a sense of familiarity combined with confusion. A camera obscura has often been related to the human eye: light enters a chamber and projects an image onto a surface, whether a wall, a screen, or an eyes retina. My work is begun in a similar way, and then projected outward incorporating the viewer. In current work I use projectors to throw colored images onto screens and the gallery walls. I see the moving images as a record of light, as that is truly what has been recorded. I do not directly film images, all is filtered through a device, or enhanced with obvious simple editing software to reflect similar notions. Movement, whether slow or fast, begins to make the viewer an active participant. Economics and history both play a role. There is a marriage between the low-tech beginner aspect of cheap devices made of low quality wood or cardboard, and exposed electronic technology such as projectors. Similarly modern tools such as cameras and basic editing software are pared with ancient devices such as the cameras obscura. Formal art-historical notions of painting, such as composition and abstraction, are explored and put into motion. Curriculum Vitae  E D U C A T I O N 2005-Present Masters of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing Temple University Tyler School of Art Elkins Park, PA Expected Graduation in May 2007 2001-2005 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking with a minor in Art History (Honors Program) Virginia Commonwealth University VCU School of the Arts Richmond, VA Cumulative GPA 3.851, Deans List all semesters 2004 Summer Foreign Study Italian art and Culture Lorenzo De’ Medici the Art Institute of Florence Florence, Italy 2002 Summer Study art History Bucks County Community College Newtown Township, PA 2000 Spring/Summer Pre College Program Moore College of Art and Design Philadelphia, PA 1998 Summer Pre College Program Temple University Tyler School of Art Elkins Park, PA E X P E R I E N C E January 2006-Present D I r e c t o r / S t u d e n t A d v I s o r Produce Exhibition Program Tyler School of Art Elkins Park, PA Tyler student club, overseen by Tyler Exhibitions & Public Program Department. Designed to have students gain experience by bringing professional artists to community in both exhibitions and programming, while educating students on gallery programming. Act as both Director of the Program and Advisor to students overseeing there organizing exhibitions and events. June – August 2006 T e a c h e r Tyler Pre-college Summer Workshop Tyler School of Art Elkins Park, PA Created and applied “Re-Create” lesion plan for high school pre-college student classes. Lesson comprised of in part: 2d and 3d exercises, process, found objects, instillation, appropriation, and art history. August 2005-Present G r a d u a t e A s s I s t a n t Exhibitions & Public Programs Tyler School of Art Elkins Park/Philadelphia, PA Intensive Assistantship with both galleries at Tyler School of Art and Temple Gallery in Philadelphia, as well as public programs. Work includes exhibition installation and de-installation, publications, as well as other related activities. October 2004-Present V I s I t I n g A r t I s t Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA Education Department, Division of Youth and Family Programs- High School Sketch Club  Teach classes, once a semester, in program of select group of high school students from Philadelphia public schools. Focused on developing portfolios, art vocabulary, drawing skills, working in galleries and becoming familiar with the collection. April 2004-May 2005 I n t e r n C u r a t o r Student Art Space Gallery VCU School of Art Richmond, VA Anderson Gallery of VCU School of the Arts and VCU Student Commons – VCU Student Art Gallery One of two selected intern curators who oversaw gallery space within the Virginia Commonwealth University Student Commons. Selected and supervised installation of undergraduate student exhibitions. Worked with Student Government Association and VCU staff and faculty negotiating space, creating budgets, advertisements, and other related tasks. September 2003 I n d e p e n d e n t C o n t r a c t o r Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA Education Department, Division of Youth and Family Programs Completed work on Education booklet One World One People begun by all Youth and Family Education 2003 Summer Interns. June-August 2003 I n t e r n Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA Education Department, Division of Youth and Family Programs Intern  Intense nine-week select Museum Studies Program involving networking with Museum leaders, seminars, lectures, and department involvement. Developed lesson plans for students, six-twelve years of age, based on items in the collection with a common theme, teaching lesson plans in galleries and studio. Classes consisted of two-hour sessions with new groups of students two times a day, four days a week. Collaborated with fellow education interns and staff, creating a comprehensive book with the summers lesson plans and images. June-August 2003 and 2002 M u s e u m S t a f f Ryerss Museum and Library Philadelphia, PA Arts and Historic Museum and Library within the facade of a 1800’s Victorian Family Mansion, the Ryerss Museum and Library was Northeast Philadelphia’s first Museum and Library, known for its extensive collection of Victorian arts, Asian arts, and Ivory. Now operated by the Fairmount Park Commission. In addition to Museum care, Completed MAP guidelines and recommendations, gave tours, and was part of the group leadership of the museum. Developed children’s programs, artistic publications, installed and maintained outside shows, increased signage, created displays, and worked with Museum “Friends” group. Sep. 2001-Dec. 2002 S t u d e n t V o l u n t e e r Anderson Gallery Richmond, VA Student and professional art gallery of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts Worked as the only student volunteer assisting in the setting up and taking down of shows, as well as working gallery openings. June- August 2000 S t u d e n t T e a c h e r MOORE College of Art Young Artists Workshop – Philadelphia, PA  Assisted lead teacher with art lessons to 4th-6th grade students focusing on creativity utilizing their environment. A W A R D S A N D D I S T I N C T I O N S 2006 The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Grant 2005 Full Tuition Scholarship Temple University Tyler School of Art, MFA program The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Grant 2004 Peachtree Award in the Visual Arts VCU School of the Art, Department of Painting and Printmaking Scholarship VCU School of the Arts Dean’s International Study Grant VCU School of the Arts The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University Nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all–discipline honor society Honors Advanced Painting Spring 2004, Fall 2004, and Spring 2005 – VCU School of the Arts, Painting and Printmaking Department Students selected by portfolio review Awarded with private studio space, and access to visiting artists Critiques by faculty groups Fall 2004 instructor- NYC Artist Pamela Frasier Merit Award - “View/2004” Undergraduate Painting Exhibition Teresa Bramlette Reeves, Juror: Independent Art Curator (January 2004) 2002 Phi Eta Sigma, National Honor Society – Virginia Commonwealth University Chapter National Society of Collegiate Scholars 2001 Doris Lansing Art Foundation Scholarship – Virginia Commonwealth University Competitive scholarship for incoming visual art students, based on portfolio Provost Scholarship – Virginia Commonwealth University National Dean’s List (2001-2005) E X H I B I T I O N S 2007 The Barber Shop Philadelphia, PA, “In It” (Solo) 2006  Penrose Gallery, Tyler School of Art Elkins Park, PA, “Joint Custody” 2004 Locker 50B Gallery, VCU School of Arts Richmond, VA, Mia Ledford & Cortne Lanier, (Jurors) The Fishbowl Gallery, VCU School of Arts Richmond, VA, “Interaction 25” Barbara Tisserat and Reni Gower, (Jurors) 1708 Gallery Richmond, VA, “The Slide Slam” Student Art Gallery, VCU School of Arts Richmond, VA, “Brett Johnson: Paintings and Works on Paper” (Solo) Student Art Gallery, VCU School of Arts Richmond, VA, “Summer Exhibition” Anderson Gallery, Virginia Commonwealth University / School of the Arts Richmond, VA, “Annual Fine Art Exhibition Ashley Kistler: Curator of Handworkshop Art Center, Richmond, VA, (Juror)  F.A.B. Gallery, VCU School of the Arts Richmond, VA, “View/2004” Undergraduate Painting Exhibition Teresa Bramlette Reeves: Independent Art Curator, (Juror) 2003 F.A.B. Gallery, Virginia Commonwealth University / School of the Arts Richmond, VA, “View/2003” Calvin Reid: Art Journalist, Art in America, Bomb Magazine, (Juror) Richmond, VA, “Assorted Confections” Reni Gower, Curator L E A D E R S H I P A C T I V I T E S A N D I N V O L V E M E N T 2006 Graduate Student Club Tyler School of Art 2004 Presidential Roundtable VCU, Richmond, VA (2004-Present) Advising committee to the Student Government Association (SGA) Student Disabilities Mentor (2004-Present) VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, consultant on grants, mentor for students with disabilities, provided training on disability related issues to graduate level class. 2003 The Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Community Volunteer (Spring 2003) Assisted instructors in studio and galleries educate young students 2004 - 2002 Museum Networking Richmond, VA The Museum and White House of the Confederacy, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Museums on the Boulevard, Philadelphia Museum of Art 2004 - 2001 Admissions Ambassador VCU, Richmond, VA Represent University to prospective students Out of state recruiter Represent University to the National Association of Students Advancement Programs Conference School of the Arts Tour Guide VCU, Richmond, VA Act as student representative for School of the Arts to prospective students 2000 -1997 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Philadelphia Chapter, Philadelphia, PA Team Captain of “Walk for the Cure” (1998-2000) Philadelphia Walk-a-thon Committee Member (1999-2000) Served as the only student member assisting in the production and development of three major walk-a-thons throughout the greater Philadelphia area. B I B L I O G R A P H Y Foltz, Joriel, Shafer Court Connections, “LIVE @ VCU 24/7”, Spring 2005, Vol 10, No. 1, p. 10-14 Heilmann, Derek, The Commonwealth Times, “Art Space showcases student art”, 13 September, 2004, Col. 41, No. 4, p. 9 One World, One People, published by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Education Department, Division of Youth and Family Programs, in conjunction with; Summer Education Internship Program 2003 The Catalog 25, published by the Department of Painting and Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, in conjunction with “Interaction 25,” 2004
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