Bart Johnson was born in Washington, DC in 1954. He spent much of his early years educating his eye looking at the collections of the major museums located there. He studied painting at Virginia Commonwealth University where he received a BFA degree. He received his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduating, he left Chicago to live in New York City for the next 18 years.
His work is derived from his life experiences working various working class jobs and should be more properly seen as autobiography deriving from his life experience rather than as a reflection of his formal education. He has largely discarded the theoretical and formal issues that were the primary content of his education. He has no interest in making work about contemporary issues which are by their nature transient. He has worked as a housepainter, dishwasher, security guard, warehouse worker, janitor, typesetter, telemarketer, social worker, etc.. For the last 8 years he's lived largely secluded outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work is in private collections in the U.S. and Europe, as well as in the De Young Museum in San Francisco.
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
ONE-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2005
Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2003
Arte Loca Gallery, Bernalillo, New Mexico
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009
Bart Johson/Michael Corney Two Person Show, LillStreet Art Center, Chicago, IL
"What the Future May Hold”, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
2008
“Go Figure”, Amelia Center Gallery, Panama City. FL
“Seven Deadly Sins”, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
“Red”, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
“Cats”, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
2007
“The Diane and Sandy Besser Collection”, De Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
Studio Three Gallery, Albuquerque, New Mexico
“In My Own Words”. Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
“La Mesa”, NCECA, Lousville, Kentucky
2006
Juried Show, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, California
“Tomorrow’s Drawings Today,” Turner Carroll Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Drawing Show, The Art Center, St. Petersburgh, Florida
2005
Juried Show, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, California
“Day of the Dead”, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Group Show, Katrina Lasko, Bernalillo, New Mexico
2004
Juried Show, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, California
“Significant Others,” The Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rocky Mountain Biennial, Museum of Contemporary Art, Fort Collins, Colorado
2003
“Albuquerque Contemporary 2003,” Albuquerque Museum of Art
“First Impressions and the Comic Book,” El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe
Fifth European Printmaking Biennial, Lorient, France
“Collect: Inside 83”, Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Group Exhibition, Blue Dome Gallery, Silver City, New Mexico
2002
Albuquerque Museum Juried Exhibition, Juried Award
“Windy City Different,” St. John’s College, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Rocky Mountain Biennial, Museum of Contemporary Art, Fort Collins, Colorado
New Grounds Gallery, Albuquerque, New Mexico
University of New Mexico Law Library, Albuquerque, New Mexico
