MICHAEL JOHNSON
Michael Johnson initially achieved prominence as a hard-edged abstract painter in the influential survey exhibition, The Field later developing a more painterly and sumptuous iconography that reaffirmed his reputation as one of Australia’s leading abstract artists.
Johnson attended the Julian Ashton School and National Art School (1954-59), moving to London in 1960 and working as a studio assistant for Anthony Caro (1964-1965) and also exhibiting in the Commonwealth Festival Biennale (1962-65). In 1967 he returned to Sydney, holding a solo exhibition of hard-edged abstract paintings and establishing a profile as a leading Australian artist.
Johnson’s oeuvre reflects European traditions of romanticism with the artist intuitively orchestrating luminous colour harmonies in simple geometric forms, overlaid with painterly marks and gestures. Johnson has exhibited throughout Australia and New York and lectured at a number of tertiary art schools in London, Thailand and Australia. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, also completing important public commissions for clients such as the Sydney Conference Centre and the State Bank of New South Wales.
His work is in the collections National Gallery of Australia, Canberra and the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
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