realizing i can’t be that kind of artist,
from the phenomenon of roadkill to the rapid turnover rate of outdated technologies to the endangered species of canada to the slices of cold cuts in your sandwich to the deer heads hanging in the hunter’s den to the raccoon bandits rummaging through your garbage bins- i am concerned with exploring the way in which human beings perceive, depict, transform and destroy the natural world. my work embodies a range of creatures juxtaposed with human-made residual technologies in order to emphasize the impact we have on our surroundings. in some small way, i am a redundant arguer exploring the many ways to express that the way in which we are going about our lives on this celestial orb is absurd in its hyper-manufacturing, over-consumption and stubborn determination to perish all that is natural. by emphasizing the disconnection that exists between human beings and other creatures, i hope that my painted, sculpted, or installation arguments might be another little catalyst that will change the way we think about and interact with the world around us.
Curriculum Vitae
emilyjvjohnson@gmail.com | emjohnson.weebly.com
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2012 The Focus Gallery, heart-lags, Hamilton, ON
The Lyons Media Centre, Student Showcase, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
2011 The New Space, McMaster University 2011 Art Auction, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
Hamilton Artists Inc., Annual Members Exhibition, Hamilton, ON
Carnegie Gallery, Emerging Artist Competition, Dundas, ON
Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, Hammering Away: Erasure & Action in Hamilton, Hamilton, ON
The New Space, The Art and Art History Society’s Art Auction II, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
My Dog Joe, Annual McMaster Art Exhibit, Hamilton, ON
2010 Hamilton Artists Inc., Swarm, Hamilton, ON
The Drake Hotel, Feel the Art Beat for UNITY, Toronto, ON
The Dundas Cactus Festival, Independent showcase, Dundas, ON
Stagecoach, In My Bed, In Your Bed: an exploration of human and animal displacement, Dundas, ON
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
2009-2012 McMaster Honour Award
2011 Golden Key International Honour Society Award
The Edwin Marwin Dalley Memorial Scholarship
2007 Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarship
RELATED EXPERIENCE
2012 Teaching Assistant to Professor John Graham. McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.
2011 Internship at Hamilton Artists Inc., Hamilton, Ontario.
Exhibition Assistance Grant Jury Member, Hamilton Artists Inc., Hamilton, ON
EDUCATION
2009- 2012 Honours Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
2007-2009 Studies in Visual Arts, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
2009-2012 Hamilton Artists Inc., Hamilton ON
2011 Hamilton Earth Day Rain Barrel Auction
2010 McMaster Studio Tour Guide
