Artist Statement: These installations by F. Geoffrey Johnson speak to his concern of disappearing habitats and resources for other species on the planet: seabirds ingesting plastic that has been thrown in the oceans and then feeding it to their chicks, bees disappearing, smaller local bird and bug varieties being added every day to the endangered list. He uses repurposed materials like wood, wire, organic date palm cluster stems, dried kangaroo paw flowers, a cast iron birdbath, cloth sack, fiberglass satellite dish reflector plate, lantern, bottle caps, eye screws etc to create and photograph these installations.
To see more of his art, poetry and inspiration please visit www.smellsisee.com
Artist Bio: Johnson is a graduate of Morehouse College and majored in Political Science. He is a multi-disciplinary artist working in various mediums, highlighting issues related to environmental, social and political justice. Johnson’s poetry was first published in 1975 by Inner City Cultural Center’s Neworld Magazine and has since been published in literary journals and books, both domestically and abroad. In 2009, Johnson’s artwork evolved to include assemblages of re-purposed materials, found objects, environmental waste and the literary word.
Johnson states, “I use materials and methods that best lend themselves to telling the story I feel needs to be told, in the most efficient and direct manner, while attempting not to be didactic. I try to allow the viewer to bring their history and interpretation to the work.”
In 2018, Johnson was selected to participate in Otis College of Art and Design’s L. A. Summer Residency. Johnson’s artwork has been shown in group and solo exhibitions throughout Georgia, Alabama and New York. His work has been awarded in various group shows and art exhibitions, most recently in 2018, Abernathy Arts Center’s Georgia Artists: A Juried Exhibition.
