Gerald Johnson, For Wally, 1974

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This artwork titled "For Wally" 1974 is a collage on paper by New York artist Gerald Johnson, 1944-2000. It is … Read more This artwork titled "For Wally" 1974 is a collage on paper by New York artist Gerald Johnson, 1944-2000. It is hand signed, titled and dated in pencil by the artist. The artwork size is 24.5 x 18.15 inches, sheet size is 27.35 x 21 inches. It is in good condition, the paper is originally wavy as it show on the pictures.

About the artist:

Gerald Johnson [b.1944-2009] played a dynamic role in the Brooklyn art scene from the late 1960’s through the late 1980’s. After graduating from Pittsburgh State, he established a studio on Green Street and became right-hand to Steve Poleskie at the famed Chiron Press in 1967. There he formed creative relationships with the artists he was in charge of bringing to life; Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Thomas Wesselman, Victor Vasarely, Richard Anuskiewicz,etc. He himself was always creating, but seemed content to advocate for the work of others rather than promote his own.
In 1970, through his work at Chiron, he made the relationship that would influence the rest of his creative life. He was printing Tondos and Diamonds for Ilya Bolotowsky at the time. The conversations between the two about art and transcendence began a life-long friendship. The same year, Johnson became Ilya’s studio assistant and chief creative collaborator. Gerald alone was entrusted with printing Ilya’s silkscreens and there is evidence in Johnson’s estate that there was a significant amount of collaboration. Still, Johnson was hesitant about his own work.
He would put in 8 to 10 hours per day with Ilya, go home and work through the night on works both giving direct reference to the work of Bolotwosky and also visibly their own. Upon his death, it was discovered he left an entire estate of large scale paintings, rugs loomed in the neoplasticist style, prints, collages, plexiglass constructions, and sculptures he created over decades . Finally, nearing death, a full-scale exhibition of the works of Ilya Bolotowsky and Gerald Johnson, side by side, was at least mounted at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn.

Selected exhibitions:
1966 – Exhibitions at the Springfield Art Museum, Wichita Art Museum
1967 – Graduates Pittsburgh State University, BFA
1967 – Established Green Street Studio and begins working at Chiron Press with Steve Poleskie
1968 – Exhibitions at the New York State University, Newport Art Association.
1969 – One person show, Pittsburg State University, Dublin, TN Gallery of Art, Newport Art Association, etc.
1970 – Exhibitions at Purdue, New York State.
1970 – Becomes studio assistant and artistic mentee of Ilya Bolotowsky
1971 – Exhibition at Seattle Art Museum
1972 – Exhibitions at 141 Prince Street Gallery, Western Illinois University, One Person Show at Prospect Hospital, Bronx
1974 – Exhibition at the G W Einstein Gallery, New York
1976 – Mural for the Manhattan Development Center
1977 – Chiron Press Closes – Becomes Exclusive Printmaker for Ilya Bolotowsky
1978 – Exhibitions at Arte Feira, Bologna Italy; PSI, Long Island; Terrain Gallery of New York; Fund for the City of New York
1980 – Exhibition at the Silvermine Guild Center for the Arts, New Canaan, CT.
1982 – 1429 Gallery, San Francisco
1985 – Carson Galleries, Albuquerque, NM
2000 – Special Exhibition – Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Brooklyn, of the Works of Gerald Johnson and Ilya Bolotowsky See less