BIOGRAPHY
Joy
Johnson is a sculptor, painter and mixed-media artist. Her home and studio
are on thirty acres in California's San Joaquin Valley. In the midst of
grape vineyards, these quiet surroundings enable her to create the spiritually
based art that is close to her soul.
Having worked in a broad range of media, Johnson is known for her use
of combining wood constructions, colorful paint, prints and mixed-media
embellishments. Layered in process and meaning, each print is drawn from
a thirty year self-referential library of her sculptures, paintings and
digital drawings. Spiritual by intent, charged with the memory of life,
each construction sets the stage for the bones, feathers, wire, beads
and other symbolic embellishments that create the enigma of the work.
A visual artist for over three decades, Johnson has shown in numerous
solo and group exhibits throughout California, nationally and recently
in a traveling exhibit in Russia. She has received recognition with numerous
awards, publications and televised interviews throughout her career.
RESUME
Education
1983 M.A., California State University, Fresno
1981 B.A., California State University, Fresno
Solo Exhibitions
2004 "Where Spirit Dwells", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
2003 "Shrines", Merced Art Center, Merced
2002 "Spirit Shrines", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
2000 "Voice of the Soul", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
1999 "Branching", Plums Gallery, Fresno, CA
1998 "Painted Prayers", Bakersfield College, Bakersfield, CA
1997 "Painted Prayers", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
1996 "Painted Prayers", Merced Art Center, Merced, CA
1996 "Light From Within", Lincoln Art Center, Colorado
1995 "Color of Light", Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA
1994 "Spirit of Primitive Art", C.S.U.F.,Fresno, CA
1993 "Neo-Primitives, Galley 25, Fresno, CA
1992 "New Work", Plums Gallery, Fresno, CA
1991 "New Directions", Gallery M, Fresno, CA
1991 "Goddesses", Clarks Gallery, Bakersfield, CA
1991 "Into the 90's", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
1989 "Malibu Primitives", Plums Gallery, Fresno, CA
1986 "Alienators", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
1985 "Installation", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
1984 "Installation", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
1983 "Print Palette and Paterials", C.S.U.F., CA
1983 "Print Palette and Paterials", Gallery 25, CA
1982 "Between Painting and Sculpture", Gallery 25, CA
1980 "Relationships", Gallery 25, CA
1978 "Cocoons", California State University, Fresno, CA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2005 "Assemblage", Invitational, Merced Arts Center
2005 "DEADications", Invitational, Arte Americas, Fresno
2003 "River", Invitational to Gallery 25, Fresno Art Museum
2002 "Artists' Quilt", Invitational Fund Raiser, Fresno Art Museum
2002 "Remembering", Invitational, Merced Multi-Cultural Arts Center
2001 "Artists from the Feminist Years", Gallery 25, Fresno, CA
2001 "Feminist Art in the 21st Century", Arte Americas, Fresno, CA
2000 Traveling exhibit, Sterlitamak, Ufa, Ekaterinburg, Moscow, Russia
1998 "Dreams of Life & Death", Invitational, Traveling exhibit, Tokyo,
Japan
1997 "Chairisma IV" Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA
1997 "Out of the Valley" Fresno Art Museum
1996 "Art Is The Soul Of The Culture", Gallery 25
1994 "Celebration of Women's Art", California State University Fresno
1994 "20th Anniversary", Galley 25, Fresno
1994 "Temporary Show Contemporary Art", Cambria, CA
1993 "Chairisma III", Fresno Art Museum
1992 "Columbus & The New World", Gallery 25
1991 "S. California Invitational", Gallery M, Fresno, CA
1991 "Next Wave", Fresno Art Museum
1991 "3rd Reedley National", Beach Vision Gallery, CA
1990 "Women's Art About Women",C.S.U. Long Beach,CA
1990 "Fresno Art Museum Permanent Collection" Fresno,CA
1990 Alliance For The Arts, Traveling Exhibit, Fresno,CA
1990 Invitational, Sidney Rothman Gallery, New Jersey
1989 Taylor Gratzer Gallery, West Hollywood, CA 1989 Pieces Gallery, Highland
Park, Illinois
1988 "Doi Lee Shrines", Gina B, Beverly Hills, CA
1986 "Women's Invitational", Fresno Art Museum
1984 "10th Anniversary", Gallery 25
1981 "A Toast To Joyce Aiken" C.S.U.F.
1981 Matrix Gallery, Sacramento, California
1981 "Generations of Women", Gallery 25
1978 Fresno Art Museum Invitational Catalogues and Publications
2000 Cover illustrations for "A Multifaith Handbook", Fresno Multifaith
2000-99 Who's Who of American Women Twenty First Edition, Marquis 1994
Fresno Art Museum Preview
1991 West Art, February 8th Edi1 Next Wave, Artists to watch in the 90's
1989 Artists of Central and Northern California
1981 National Dean's List Publication 1981 San Joaquin Valley
Magazine Exhibition Reviews & Articles
Debra Koppman, "Spirit Shrines", Art Week, Preview, ( October 2002)
Polly Victor, "Feminist Artists Celebrate Thirty Year Anniversary", Line
on Line, Fresno's Fine and Folk Arts Journal, (February 1, 2001) www.lineonline.org
Jodi Ballard. "Feminist Art", Fresno Weekly, (March1, 2001)
"Fresno's Joy Johnson", Fresno Bee, (2000-2001), G4, color illus. & article.
David Hale, "Soul Searching", Fresno Bee, Art and Theater (January 2,
2000), H5, illus. & article .
Armbruster, Shirley. "Listening to An Inner Voice",Fresno Bee (January11,2000),
E1 & E4, color illustrations and article.
Hale, David. "Gallery 25," Fresno Bee, Art Openings, (April 28, 1997),
p.E3
Booth, Diane. "Painted Prayers Sculpture Inspiration, Merced Sun Times,
Gateway section (February 7,1997),cover, p.1, article p.3
Hale,David. "Familiar Sculptors Take Merced Spotlight, "Fresno Bee, (November
9, 1996) , p. H4
Hale, David. "Art Born of Pain Offer Showy Sanctuary," Fresno Bee, (November
30, 1994),
Batty, Brent. "Artist Readies for Show on Campus, "The Collegian, (February
3, 1994), p.1, (illus.),p.4
Johnson, Jamie. "Artistic Talents", Iron Mountain News, (May 7, 1992)
p.1 color illus. and article.
Hale, David. "Of Sculptures and Wood Boxes,"Fresno Bee, Spotlight, (March
28, 1993), p.14(illus.)
Hale, David. "Drawing on the Strengths of the World's Goddesses," Fresno
Bee, (January 27, 1991),Spotlightp.F16
Hale, David. "Finding Balance in the World", Fresno Bee, (September 22,
1991), Spotlight p.13
Keeler, Guy. "Design all Grown Up,"Fresno Bee, (November 17,1990) p.F1-2(illus.)
Hale, David. "Artist Creates Different Sort of Environment in Gallery
25, "Fresno Bee, (November, 1984)
Hale, David. "Environmental Art Inspires Dance Program," Fresno Bee, Lively
Arts, (November 1984)
Hale, David. "Tribute to Women Artists," Fresno Bee, (March 1983) Holzer,
Leo. "Paterial Creator's Work Reflects Love of Fabric", (March 25, 1983),
Fresno State's Daily Review
Hale, David. "Sculpture That Isn't," Fresno Bee, (February 7, 1982)
Hale, David. "Gallery 25 Artists Echo Past Generations," Fresno Bee, (1981)
Hale, David. "Symbolic Art Tells of Relationships," Fresno Bee, (December
7, 1980) illus.
Hale, David."Co-op Gallery Begins Season," Fresno Bee, (September 9, 1979),illus.
Hale, David. "Female Experience Display at FSU," Fresno Bee, (April 30,1978),p.C6
Television Interviews and Reviews
Beth Marney, "Color of Healing", Channel 30, (November 1994)
Lucy Ruez, "Color of Healing", Channel 47, (November 1994)
Mary Parker Show, 30 minute interview, Channel 18,(Fall 1991)
Mike Scott, review, Channel 47, (November 1985)
Stephanie Bouroujian, "Women Today", Channel 24, (November 1984)
Beth Marney, "Right to Know", Channel 30, (November 1984)
Dixie Lane, one hour interview, Channel 4, (Summer 1983)
Related Professional Experience
2004 Presentation Lydia's House Multi-faith Group "Where Spirit Dwells"
2004 Presentation Fresno Multi-faith Dialogue "Art & Soul"
2004 Presentations to C.S.U.F. and Fresno City College art students
2002 Presentation at Wesley United Methodist Church, "Inviting Spirit"
2000 "Voice of the Soul", presentation for women of all faiths, "Lydia's
House"
1997-95 President of Council of 100, Fresno Art Museum
1997-94 Council of 100 board of directors, F.A.M.
2004-88 Women's Council of 100 selection committee for Distinguished Artists
1994 Presentation for Council of 100 , "Color of Light" installation F.A.M.
1994 "Color Of Healing" performance and collaboration, breast cancer benefit,
American Cancer Society, Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA.
1994 Fresno Art Museum docent lecture
1994 Fresno Art Museum, Artist in Residence, November - December
1994 C.S.U.F. guest lecturer
1994 Fresno City College, guest lecturer
1993 Fresno Art Museum, Council 100, Studio Tour
1983 National Women's Slide Registry, lecturer
1983 Women's Studies, C.S.U.F., guest lecturer 1983 C.W.A.O., National
Board of Directors
1982 President of Gallery 25
1981 N.O.W., Fresno Chapter, guest lecturer
1981 National Women's Slide Registry, California State University Fresno
Awards
2000 Selected by Fresno Leadership to represent Fresno for ad campaign
2000 Juried selection for traveling Russian exhibit poster
1999 Juried selection for cover of Big Deal Art Auction, Aids Foundation
1999 Juried selection for Aids Foundation poster, Fresno, CA
1995 A.C. S. for "Color of Light" presentation and fund-raiser
1994 Artist interpreter, Fresno Art Museum, (Nov.-Dec.) funded by A-Z
grant
1983 Masters of Arts "With Distinction", C.S.U.F.
1981 Phi Kappa Phi California State University Fresno
1981 National Dean's List
1981 Bachelor of Arts "Magna Cum Laude"
Permanent Collections
Central Art House, Ministry of Culture, Moscow, Russia
Fresno Art Museum
Kingsview Hospital Corporate Offices
Fresno County Public Health Department Clark's Gallery, Bakersfield, California
California State University Fresno Slide Library
Bridge San Joaquin River, commission, Dr. K. Lester