EXHIBITION | William Johnston – ‘AKA’s, Parallel Personas and Self Portraits’

PRINTS | No Love From Above – Budget Day 2013

As its Budget Day I thought it appropriate to post and explain my ‘Love From Above’ print. This print looks at how Tax benefits the two biggest drug barons in our country – The Government and The Monarchy

This piece of work focuses, references and contains symbolism relating to the hypocrisy of the governments policies and handling of taxation on cigarettes/alcohol, the recently appointed smoking laws, the availability of medicinal drugs to treat smoking related diseases and conditions, and its policies on illegal drugs. It looks at the hierarchy of those who benefit and those who suffer within society, whilst remembering both sides of the argument for and against the taxation of medicinal drugs both legal and illegal.

ORIGINALS | Take 2 by William Johnston

ORIGINALS | Take 1 by William Johnston

 

‘Take 1’ is a piece of work I did this morning after watching a documentary called ‘Horizon – The Creative Brain: How Insight Works’ which looks at how ideas, inspiration and creativity are formed. Areas of the documentary that interested me the most were the scientists looking at science psychology in Jazz and the breaking of cognitive behavioural habits as a way to boost creativity.

So when this mornings  Junk Mail fell through my door, instead of disposing of it I cut it up and threw it on the scanner and made copies of the various random arrangements. The idea of probability and the eventual infinite outcomes within art is something I’m very interested in and have looked into with my AKA series.

GRAFFITI | Some 90’s Memories – Zeeburg Amsterdam

Above are some shots I took whilst camping in Amsterdam around 1996…yes there is a camp site in Amsterdam – you should try it, its a trip! Camping Zeeburg looked nothing like it does now, forget all this Glamping nonsense…picture a healthy mix of Homeboys, Hippies, Hells Angels and Funky Dreads.

Happy Days with Mr G and Curtis in the Stud Coffee Shop and the Ajax Lads…”Fuckin Juve!”

The Pharcyde – Passin Me By In my younger days…

Get out the way man!

Eek a Mouse – Ganja Smuggling

 Please contact me if you can identify any of these pieces! Peace!

GRAFFITI | Some 90’s Memories – Hulme Crescents

Here are a few shots I took at the 1995/96 ‘Graffiti Parties’ for a series of work based on the demolition and final days of the Hulme Crescents Manchester. The photos contain work by ELK, SHUN, KELZO & more

“Hulme Cresents replaced the ‘Industrial Slums’ of the 1800’s and was an early example of ‘Modular Living’, by the 1970’s these tower blocks became a tough inner city council estate and by the mid 1980’s were all but a no go zone for the council, police and were a representation of poorly made impersonal housing estates of this time.”

“There Aint No Government Like No Government” – Anon 1995

“Why Dont You Leave The Travellers Alone You Scumbag” – Kelzo 1995

“Fuck Your Law We’re Not Criminals Just Poor” – Anon 1995

“Smash the Criminal Justice Bill”

“From the mid eighties through to the mid nineties it became squat central and a hub for post punk idealism, acid house parties, graffiti, new age travellers and every counter culture imaginable.”

Hulme was also home to The PSV aka The Russell Club, Royce Road, Hulme – locally known for Reggae then Electro funk & Hip Hop as the P.S.V Caribbean Club with acts such as Barrington Levy, Eek A Mouse, Dennis Brown, Smiley Culture & Chad Jackson but Famous for early Factory Records, The Fall, Joy Divison, The Cure, Buzzcocks, John Cooper Clarke.

Smash The Criminal Justice Bill and SAS Laws!

EXHIBITION | William Johnston – AKA’s, Parallel Personas and Self Portraits

Framedink Editions is a limited edition screen print shop/store set up by the artist William Johnston in 2005 as an outlet to sell his own print editions and a selection of other artists work from around the world.

In 2010 William Johnston embarked on a body of work that has been 2 years in the making and is now preparing for forthcoming exhibitions.

‘AKA’s, Parallel Personas & Self Portraits’ is a series of work born out of his decision to drop his adopted artistic pseudonym whilst visiting Berlin, a love/hate relationship with Technology and his love for the pondering of our existence and perception of the Universe.

This work looks at/deals with the psychology behind personal identity, online behaviour, communication, security and alter egos, with the narrative of Physics and iconoclasm as a back drop.

The initial work formed through experimentation with the mathematics of probability as a method to produce his final series of original and unique hand altered screen prints – comprising of 15 screens printed onto a 1000+ pieces of coloured paper in 15 colours and a palette of 15 paint & ink colours, a selection were then hand altered using acrylic paint/oil stick or spray paint…you do the maths! Its safe to say that no 2 pieces are the same!

This work lead to a larger body of accompanying original paintings and installations.

Trained in Fine Art, Illustration and Graphic Design – this has subsequently enabled him to form unique reference points and extensive creative knowledge which he applies with finesse and inventiveness.

He is an advocate of the Liverpool Art scene and curated the ‘This Is Liverpool’ edition of Creative Review in December 2011.

William Johnston is currently organising exhibitions for Spring/Summer 2013 and is open to offers of representation, exhibitions, interviews, commissions and collaborations.

William Johnston – www.williamanthonyjohnston.co.uk