Black Artists You Should Know: barry johnson
Black Artists You Should Know is presented by Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward, host of Art Of The Matter on Converge Media. Check back every Monday for an update on a featured artist, and learn more about their story and work. Make sure to watch the video below for a deeper look at the work of barry johnson.
Artist
By Takiyah Ward
Our week two featured artist is none other than barry johnson. barry has been cranking out some of the dopest portrait pieces this side of the Mississippi, bringing humanity back to Black faces, bodies and stories. We first learned about barry last year at the opening of his show “Duality” at VMC Gallery. This show was an exploration of the multitudes of Black existence given the complexity of our treatment in society. barry’s work captured how having to be two people can feel as a Black person in America and the World at large.
Since then, barry has been hard at work in his portrait practice, creating private and public commissions while also participating in the conversations around art and culture on various boards throughout the city. But he doesn’t stop there. barry recently was chosen to be part of Amazon’s Artist in Residence program and spent the past few months creating a body of work that is by far one of his most personal and captivating. And guess what he’s still not done! Even with his plate overflowing with art and creativity barry has also been studying architecture and will complete his degree in the coming months! Wow!
It's safe to say that being the vessel that is barry johnson warrants much down time for self and family. With is Amazon residency complete, barry plans to take some time off to focus on completing his degree and getting back to self. Can’t pour from an empty cup I always say. Artist’s need much down time from the world to recharge to do the work we do, and that is most certainly barry’s plan. Even given all that he has done, he is eager to give of himself in ways he knows can help his community. He spoke to me about how his recent residency allowed him time and space to “get an idea of Me figured out” as most of his new work is self-portraiture. “Now that I have that I want to take it to others.” Always the giver, barry understands the importance of sharing not only your acquired knowledge but the nuances of your experiences with people who can benefit from it.
Barry has a couple art projects a year or so down the road but, in the meantime, he plans to continue to expand his practice to include a variety of modalities and mediums to elevate his work in the ways it deserves. Be on the lookout for what barry does next because it is sure to be thought provoking, impassioned and what the time calls for.
MORE ABOUT BARRY JOHNSON
MORE ABOUT AMAZON ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Photos by James Harnois Photography LLC.
