About the artist
Amy Johnson, b. 1976, Charlotte, NC
My creative practice is driven by fearless experimentation. I begin with thoughts and questions that come to me by way of personal experience. Photography, video, performance, installation, clay, textiles, printmaking, and glass, all have a presence in my portfolio. My work is a reflection of my life. I am inspired by the surrounding landscape, political and social issues, fairy tales, art history, and architecture. I also receive a great deal of inspiration from my former teachers and collaborators. In addition to formal research, I also rely on my intuition while working through both formal and conceptual decisions.
My current work presents the dark realities facing the natural world. Climate change, consumerism and overpopluation are all challenging our environmental landscape. I present a figure and/or an object that is beautiful and intriguing, yet holds recognizable sadness. I am interested in fairytales, myths, folklore and their relationship to contemporary culture.
My life as an artist is about questioning our world from a female perspective and embracing the challenge that comes with strengthening and developing one’s work. Every new idea is an opportunity for both artistic and personal growth. My intention is to make this world a better and more thoughtful place.
Winter 2024
Education:
2007 Master of Fine Arts, Ceramics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2005 Post Baccalaureate, Ceramics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
2003 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ceramics + Photography, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
1998 Bachelor of Science, Sociology, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
Awards + Fellowships:
2024 Idaho Commission on the Grant, State of Idaho
2023 Idaho Commission on the Arts Performing and Media Arts Fellowship, State of Idaho
2021 Idaho Commission on the Arts Grant, State of Idaho
2021 Alexa Rose Foundation Grant, Ada County, Idaho
2017 Rasmuson Foundation Artist-In-Residence McColl Center for Art, Charlotte, NC
2016 Art Matters Foundation Grant Finalist, USA
2014 Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Fellowship, State of Alaska
2013 Alaska State Council on the Arts Individual Opportunity Grant, State of Alaska
2008 Artist Trust GAP Grant
2008 Vermont Studio Center Artist Grant
2006 Elmer Craig Award, National Conference for the Education of Ceramic Arts
2004 Autio Award: Juried student exhibit, University of Montana
Honorable Mention: Juried student exhibit, University of Montana
Artist-In-Residence:
2024 Studio Faire, Nérac, France
2017 McColl Center for Art + Innovation, Charlotte, NC
2013 Arteles Creative Center, Haukijärvi, Finland
2009 Centrum, Port Townsend, WA
2008 Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
2005 Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT
Selected Teaching + Professional Experience:
2023-24 Sun Valley Museum of Art, Workshop Instructor, Hailey, ID
2020 University of Alaska, Selected Juror: Lecture and Critique, Anchorage, AK
2017 Winthrop University, Visiting Artist: Lecture and Critique, Rock Hill, SC
2017 Green Mountain College, Visiting Artist: Lecture and Workshop, Poultney, VT
2016 TILT : Producer & curator of multi-media solo exhibition, Anchorage, AK
2015-16 Adjunct Art Instructor, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
2010-11 Studio Team, Katy Stone Studio, Seattle, WA
2009 Adjunct Art Instructor Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA
2008 Green Mountain College, Visiting Artist: Lecture and Workshop, Poultney, VT
Centrum Young Artist Program Core Faculty, Port Townsend, WA
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2023 Seasons Quartet, exhibition and 1.5 hour performance, The Common Well, Garden City, ID
2016 TILT, Five Years in Alaska: self-produced and curated solo exhibition, Anchorage, AK
2012 Weathered, 2.5 hour performance, True North Exhibition, Anchorage Museum, Anchorage, AK
2011 Queen Bee, Site Responsive Installation and 1.5 hour performance, Steele Gallery, Gage Academy of Art, Seattle, WA
2009 Depleted, Site Responsive Installation and works on paper, Kenneth J. Minnaert Gallery, South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA
2007 For the Fairest, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Ceramic and Metal Arts Gallery, University of Washington Seattle, WA
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2019 State Proof : Printmaking Invitational, International Gallery for Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
2018 Small Works Exhibition, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2017 Stimulus, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, Charlotte, NC
2014 Reykjavik International Film Festival, Tempted Still International Premier, Reykjavik, Iceland
2013 Summer Exhibition, Hirvitalo, Center for Contemporary Art, Tampere, Finland
2012 True North, Anchorage Museum, Anchorage, AK
Private Collections:
Leonard and Tannie Hyde, Anchorage, AK
Matt Claman and Lisa Rieger, Anchorage, AK
Laureen Young and Mike Parise, Anchorage, AK
University of Montana, Museum of Art and Culture, Missoula, MT
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
Karen Dacek, Bainbridge Island, WA
Robinson, Bradshaw and Hinson, P.A., Charlotte, NC
Selected Publications:
2023. “Everything is Beautiful and I am so Sad”, Essay, Sarah Sentilles
2017 Featured Artist, Earth Issue, November 2017.
2017 “Artist Profile : Amy Johnson”, Amy Rogers for McColl Center for Art + Innovation, October 2017
2016 "Artist Creates Her Own Gallery to Showcase Work", Mike Dunham, Alaska Dispatch, July 8, 2016
2012 “Up Now, True North,” ART News, September 2012, p. 118.