Biography
Johnson's colourful, large-scale paintings teeter on the edge between abstraction and figuration. She plays with the dichotomy of presence and void, creating a unique balance of positive and negative spaces where biomorphic forms are captured in the process of becoming.
Eleanor Johnson produces vibrant paintings that combine a sense of irreverent absurdity with a playful aesthetic and an element of irony within the grotesque. In doing so, the artist tackles taboo subjects such as the abject body and sexuality. Through confrontational imagery, Johnson's aim is to provoke thought and encourage viewers to discuss the unconventional; her canvases celebrate imagination, rekindling a sense of wonder often dulled by time.
Johnson's colourful, large-scale paintings teeter on the edge between abstraction and figuration. She plays with the dichotomy of presence and void, creating a unique balance of positive and negative spaces where biomorphic forms are captured in the process of becoming. Johnson's production shows explicit inspirations from old master paintings, evident in the choice of colour palettes, forms, and figurative elements. It is also discernible a reference to Cecily Brown's aesthetics, with Johnson's works echoing the bustling chaos reminiscent of Brown's style.
Eleanor Johnson (b.1994, UK) has a BA in Art History from UCL, London, and an MA in Fine art from City & Guilds of London Art School. In 2019, she participated in a two-month residency at the Palazzo Monti in Brescia, Italy. Johnson's work is in private collections and institutions in the UK, US, Europe, West Africa, Asia and South America. Eleanor Johnson currently lives and works in Oxfordshire, UK and is represented by Gillian Jason Gallery.
Johnson's colourful, large-scale paintings teeter on the edge between abstraction and figuration. She plays with the dichotomy of presence and void, creating a unique balance of positive and negative spaces where biomorphic forms are captured in the process of becoming. Johnson's production shows explicit inspirations from old master paintings, evident in the choice of colour palettes, forms, and figurative elements. It is also discernible a reference to Cecily Brown's aesthetics, with Johnson's works echoing the bustling chaos reminiscent of Brown's style.
Eleanor Johnson (b.1994, UK) has a BA in Art History from UCL, London, and an MA in Fine art from City & Guilds of London Art School. In 2019, she participated in a two-month residency at the Palazzo Monti in Brescia, Italy. Johnson's work is in private collections and institutions in the UK, US, Europe, West Africa, Asia and South America. Eleanor Johnson currently lives and works in Oxfordshire, UK and is represented by Gillian Jason Gallery.
Works
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Exhibitions
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Artsy Foundations Fair 2024
23 Jan - 12 Feb 2024Foundations is a seasonal online fair curated by Arsty, spotlighting fresh works from tastemaking galleries that discover and nurture rising artists. This year's fair includes presentations from 130+ galleries in...Read more -
The Feast of Fools
Eleanor Johnson 15 Nov 2023 - 27 Jan 2024Eleanor Johnson’s latest series of works exhibited in ‘The Feast of Fools’ explores the concepts of excess, power and overindulgence in contemporary society. Here, Johnson uses Marco Ferrari’s 1973 film...Read more
Installation shots
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