Tim Johnson

My New Website & Blog

2010-10-10T08:53:00.004+01:00

Hi folks just to let you know that I've jumped ship, moved house, packed up my basket!

I'm building my new site complete with galleries and blog and will be putting a whole lot more stuff & effort into it. If you are one of my current followers or wish to be a new follower please do sign up!
Find me here: www.timjohnsonartist.com

'the way we are'

2010-04-28T18:29:00.011+01:00

Following up from my previous blog entry in December my fascination with the skull has flourished. Due to the generosity of the loan of a real human school from the art department of a school in Portsmouth I've been able to use this very special resource for some of my recent projects.
Working with pupils from Carisbrooke High School on the Isle of Wight we created a stunning exhibition in the Learning Curve Gallery at Quay Arts entitled 'the way we are'. This exhibition will be finishing this Saturday 1st May - so see it while you can - apologies for the late post!

The project evolved over four half day sessions in school and three whole days in the gallery. School sessions concentrated on developing ideas about identity and the duality of our physical being and our intangible personality. Following sessions introduced 3D processes new to the students including clay work and working with soft basketry and textile techniques.
In the gallery the reality of the challenge became apparent once everyone realised the amount of work to be done within the three day installation slot. Purposefully I did not allow the students to fall back on the security of the relatively modest pieces made in school but instead encouraged them to develop new large scale works that responded to the scale of the gallery space, utilised their new found 3D techniques and drew on their photographic skills.

Ripped fragments of textiles and carefully arranged bundles of grass wrapped in knitting wool embroider the outlines and forms of the human skull and an image of one of the pupils fingerprints. The physical human presence is combined with the individual makers mark.

More of the process and exhibition can be seen in my flickr gallery: 'the way we are' and I would like to congratulate all those enthusiastic involved in this project who achieved so much.

one day last summer...............

2010-01-16T00:33:00.001Z

we made giraffes and silver eggs and flowers and listened to the Marconiphone...............

lots more here: play slideshow

Wonderland

2009-12-14T12:23:00.007Z

Wonderland - the latest offering from Sandown's finest (and only) contemporary gallery featuring the work of leading Isle of Wight artists & makers. The exhibition opened last week with busy attendance and features the work of Sue Paraskeva, Matthew Chambers, Chris Jenkins, Lisa Traxler and myself amongst others. More details about the show at Boojum & Snark. If your looking for desirable and original hand crafted Christmas presents this should be your first stop................

Maker of the Month............

2009-12-10T22:32:00.005Z

This month I have had the honour of being designated 'Maker of the Month' by The Making the award-winning arts charity that promotes high quality contemporary craft and design and inspires new audiences to engage with the art of making. The article combines an interview conducted by Diana Woolf of Selvedge & Crafts Magazine with a selection of my work.

Below a willow scroll wrap - created during an amazing week teaching at Vissinggaard as part of Focus on Bark.
My documentation of this week, sharing skills and exploring together with makers from Denmark, Finland, France, Canada and Sweden, can be found in my special gallery here: Focus on Bark, Vissinggaard 2009

One of my recent works in progress exploring maps and networks. This piece is woven from a variety of plant materials including Butturburr, flatband cane and Kelp seaweed. I have created a couple of galleries gathering images exploring the theme and will be creating more map pieces over the coming months.

And finally a workshop shot from my ongoing projects with a wonderful Primary School on the Isle of Wight, initiated by Creative Partnerships, the project has carried on gaining additional funding year by year. A small selection from the project can be seen here: Outside In and here Celebration.

By chance a skull..........

2009-12-09T16:51:00.013Z

Since childhood I've always been fascinated by skulls and I had my own small collection from various birds & mammals. However this didn't prepare me for the experience of handling a real human skull in the art department of a school recently. Such a fascinating & compelling object it has stayed in my head and I'm interested in exploring the iconic image further.

Of course it's hard to bring anything new to the subject having been dealt with by creative humanity for thousands of years however that's no reason not to explore it for my own benefit & understanding.

A floor drawing that I created during a school workshop yesterday exploring contemporary street art practice. Having looked at the work of Aakash Nihalani and Buff Diss pupils experimented with creating tape drawings on the floor, walls and up and around furniture & doors in the studio.

My hand skull made from a crushed Pepsi can & white tape, photograph - thanks to Karen Sunderland.

Have alook at some of the images from flickr that I've curated into a little gallery here: Recent Obsessions

The Collector, a film by Martin Hampton

2009-11-03T11:57:00.003Z

"nobody does this" - indeed, watch this wonderful and sincere film about Christian - a collector and hoarder living in a town in Provence, France. http://vimeo.com/666346

Kingdom of Old Slideshow

2009-11-03T11:48:00.001Z

The Kingdom of Old Exhibition at Quay Arts is now over having had an amazing three weeks of creativity - the dust is settling and we are gathering our thoughts and organising the projects documentation. We have photographs, videos and sound recordings all to be collated and published. The first batch is now available as a slideshow of over 300 images documenting everyday of the project and can be seen here: Kingdom of Old Slideshow

MUMCHANCE & GUISE

2009-10-26T00:42:00.014Z

Next Saturday I'll be taking part in the Procession detailed below & organised by Matthew Cowan, Artist in Residence with Cecil Sharp House, home of the Englsh Folk Dance & Song Society.

Do come along if you get a chance - I'll be the one in the big spiky suit - yep the Brahan Man makes his debut south of the Scottish border - he was created in 2006 as part of my residency alongside Patrick Dogherty on the Brahan Estate near Inverness and gathers inspiration from traditional costumes & disguises native to the British Isles. Currently his costume is on show as part of Mumchance & Guise at Cecil Sharp House.

Mumchance and Guise: Procession and Performance

Saturday 31 October, from 4.15pm, free

This Procession and Performance is part of the archives and artefacts exhibition, 'Mumchance and Guise' at Cecil Sharp House. The event will begin at sunset (between 4.30 and 5pm) with a twilight procession of disguised performers and musicians from nearby Primrose Hill. The eclectic group will make the short walk to Cecil Sharp House, Trefusis Hall where a series of performances will take place.

Come in disguise and join the procession or simply watch the procession and following performances at Trefusis Hall. Artists from the Mumchance & Guise exhibition at Cecil Sharp House will showcase a series of performances that tap into the dark underbelly of folk customs and disguise, using essential folk elements in presenting new performances by contemporary artists from the UK and Europe.

Meet in your own disguise at 4.15pm at the top of Primrose Hill

Mumchance & Guise

Friday 25 September - Saturday 28 November

Open: Monday to Friday (and some Saturdays) 10am to 6pm

Admission free

How does a costume transform its wearer and when does the costume itself become a work of art? This new exhibition showcases artifacts from the English Folk Dance and Song Society archives alongside new works by contemporary artists.

The performance of folk dance and ritual inevitably involves costumes and forms of disguise. This camouflage enshrouds folk performers and transforms them, removing them from everyday existence, separating performer and community.

Most folk costumes are precious, unique, hand-made and purpose built objects. This new exhibition at Cecil Sharp House draws together some amazing costume artefacts from the EFDSS archives and shows them alongside costumes and performance works from contemporary artists whose work is concerned with tradition and folk ritual. The show emphasizes narratives of transformation, seasonal ritual, celebration and disguise whilst displaying some of the value of the archive collection at Cecil Sharp House.

Artists: Michelle Bloom, Megan Broadmeadow, Matthew Cowan, Gery Georgieva, Tim Johnson

Kingdom of Old

2009-09-26T15:20:00.005+01:00

Hi folks - been busy with moving house, children, life, work, the universe - anyhow I've afew things to show you over the next few weeks so why not tune in !

I'm starting a new project on Monday with my mate Chris running at Quay Arts on the Isle of Wight - read all about it over here kingdomofold.blogspot.com/ at the dedicated blog.

Basketry Course on the Isle of Wight

2008-07-10T23:33:00.005+01:00

Stop Press : Last few places available on my basketry course coming up at the start of August !

from the brochure :

Exploring the use of plant materials such as grasses, rushes and willow bark, this course with Tim Johnson will look to the outdoors for inspiration. These soft materials will be combined with home-grown willow to create contrast and strength. A variety of techniques will be explored including twining, coiling and plaiting and fitching.
The course is based at a school in Ryde where Tim has been developing the grounds with pupils as an educational resource over the last couple of years. Expect to see a vibrant project full of inspiration and growing sculptures.

Booking and further information here : Quay Arts

Nature unleashed - behind the barriers......

2008-02-28T08:59:00.010Z

My current ongoing photography project In East Cowes in collaboration with Island 2000 can be found on their blog here.

Quoted from the Island 2000 blog :

As part of the ‘No Barriers’ project we’ve commissioned artist and photographer Tim Johnson to take a look ‘behind the barriers’. Over the past couple of months Tim has been exploring the special qualities of a ‘no go zone’, a large plot of land left behind for nature to re-colonise, before the re-development of East Cowes claims it back.

Tim comments:“I’m fascinated by the way nature is creeping back over the relics and remains of human habitation and industry. Although I’m a resident of Cowes I don’t know the area contained before its transformation - so I’m coming with fresh eyes wondering what the rubble and remains once were. Garden steps up to missing conservatories, park benches with no one to sit and car parks empty of vehicles forever.

Scrambling native brambles collaborate with escaping garden roses against a backdrop of crushed rubble and cracked paving. Wild Carrot and Lamb’s Ears decorate a miniature roundabout - the floral combinations presenting a curious botanical landscape speaking of its own history.”

After working digitally for several years Tim has returned to using film for this project. Using a recently acquired medium format camera Tim is enjoying the slowness of the activitiy and the concentration and focus required.

Tim’s photographs will be presented to the public on the Barriers revealing the hidden contained landscapes.

Here is the location c/o Google Earth

Alphorn

2008-02-27T13:07:00.009Z

This weeks coincidence celebrates the Alphorn! Always fascinated by unusual instruments I was excited to see that an Alphorn gig is coming up at Bracknell's South Hill Park.

Meanwhile in a local antique shop in Wroxall I found this lovely little Kodak bag from Lenzerheide, Switzerland:

Exploring the delights of my pre-digital OM lense (Zuiko 55mm 1.2) on my digital Olympus E1 (via a OM 4/3rds adapter) I have been continuing my window sill project - today with the addition of my chipcarved Alphornist. The lense is quite soft but providing lovely bokeh.

Green Room Polaroids

2008-02-09T23:54:00.000Z

Following this mornings children's workshop at Quay Arts it was nice to have a little time watching the light in the Green Room. I took a series of black and white polaroids with my old Polaroid Colourpak 80 (1971 -76 ). Here is one of the shots on it's own and on the polaroid developing sheet inverted in photoshop.

Learn about Land Cameras here

four photographs & a drawing, old & new

2008-01-30T15:06:00.001Z

Found the old drawing in my scanning draw. Took the first photograph as I was scanning the drawing and then continued through the day as the light changed.

Soft and scribbly for a winter's bright day.

1.03pm weds

4.56pm weds

01.31am weds

13.19pm thurs

Olympus E1 with OM4/3 adapter, Sigma 24mm 2.8 macro

Drawing 'copse' pencil, Oil pastel & Ink on paper, A4 approx

Gathered Thoughts - Japanese Basketry Workshop Review

2008-01-30T12:19:00.000Z

A little while ago I was asked to write a review of some basketry workshops I attended over 2007 as part of the East Weaves West : Basketry in Japan and Britain 'season' for the Japanese basketry newsletter 'Basketry News 74' edited by Kazue Honma.

Exhibition dates :
Hove Museum, 18th January - 27th April 2008
Nationaal Vlechtmuseum in the Netherlands,
9th May - 6th September 2008

Here is my review :

Gathered Thoughts

UK Basketmaker Tim Johnson writes about his experiences attending workshops with Hisako Sekijima, Noriko Takamiya and Kazue Honma alongside the touring East Weaves West exhibition.

Arriving at basketry workshops presents the participant with a heady mix of expectations, hopes, desires and a leap into the unknown hands of your tutor. Perhaps the student should also bring a willingness to let go of their expectations and be open to new experiences.

So it was for my most recent trio of basketry workshops, six days under the tutelage of three makers visiting the UK from Japan - Hisako Sekijima, Noriko Takamiya and Kazue Honma, all exhibiting in the inspiring touring exhibition East Weaves West curated by Mary Butcher and Laura Hamilton.

Working as a busy maker and teacher, my own practice is demanding, diverse and all consuming. Why then should I need or desire the diverse inputs of such different makers?

Any chance to learn in whatever context can lead to unknown and desirable creative pathways and new ventures for the imagination. The challenge of course is to give oneself post-workshop time to reflect, absorb and practice what one has learnt. Certainly these workshops were a demanding prospect and no doubt their influence will take some time to absorb and realise its impact on my practice. As time passes what is important becomes evident through our brains filtration - forgetfulness perhaps, but also distillation.

It is with these thoughts in mind that I now, several months later, reflect on the exercises, improvisations and suggestions of these Japanese basketmakers.

Noriko Takamiya’s presentation of traditional ways with Rice straw excited me greatly. While already familiar with a wide range of grasses, rush and straw native to the British Isles, I was quite unfamiliar with what at first seemed a quite unforgiving and tough material. Vigorous straw beating followed on the streets of Glasgow and must have presented a fascinating diversion for bemused passing pedestrians!

Through a variety of projects including cordage making and the twisting up of little creatures and figures Noriko revealed some of the subtle complexities and possibilities of ply. Dividing cordage elements to ply separately then recombine, lead us to the more complex rice harvesting knife sheath. This was a pleasing project and had me transpose its complexities to shiny sweet smelling willow bark at 6am the following morning as my homework!

Participants made such a variety of objects over the two-day course including slippers, temple decorations and silkworm nesting ropes. I was most intrigued with the implications of working with a cordage’s ply in different ways to lead me in new directions and the extra details of tightening and burnishing cordage that my own practice and experimentation had not yet discovered.

Hisako Sekijima’s workshop presented a different array of challenges to Noriko’s – and perhaps as I am a maker rather than a writer - challenges and thought processes difficult to translate from practice to writing! Hisako’s approach was less to do with specifics of material, technique and tradition, and more concerned with experimentation, thought and analysis.

Working through a process of mould making and then constructing a form around a mould, we focussed our attention more on the negative or interior space rather than the made form itself. This relationship between structure and its contained space is fascinating, and one that encourages us to be aware of the entire space occupied by our makings. Having practiced painting and drawing as part of my Fine Art training, positive and negative space are far from alien concepts, however to foreground them as a primary concern in basketmaking is certainly instructive.

One of the exciting features of this workshop was the variety of materials employed by the different students – willow rods, skeins and bark, paper, buttons, thread, plastic band, mono filament and wire. As Hisako made no demand on what we used, students were free to bring materials already familiar to each individual makers practice, these materials could then be creatively used and re-evaluated using new processes. The relationships and scales of these differing materials made huge implications on the final products.

Through the relatively simple process of making around a mould, Hisako enabled students to develop possibilities and move on to personally innovative projects.
The workshop stimulated thoughtfulness and calm that could benefit our future work as basketmakers during our planning, making and analysis.

My own experiments with Hisako involved the twisting up or cranking of stripped white willow and plying this around itself and thus enveloping the mould, an interesting and difficult application of this willow technique. Combining split bamboo with willow provided inspiration for my second less successful basket – giving me a challenge to combine them in more convincing ways in the future.

Kazue Honma’s workshop on the Isle of Wight lead us through a process of discovery with just one material – Somband, a twisted paper tape. Inspecting the process and details of knot making as a starting point, Kazue introduced this material – quite new to most participants. Once again the scale of the material in relation to the constructed form had a major influence on the product. Kazue’s wide array of drawings interpreting her knots provided us with many mental puzzles and demands on our dexterity.

Hexagonal plaiting in the form of a ball followed – immediately providing a pleasing outcome inspiring discussions of its application – for necklaces, community art projects and stitched and bound together to make baskets made of balls. Several workshop participants went away with specific makings in mind.

Having learnt some of the knotting and weaving potential in the first morning we were then challenged to re-inspect the material for the afternoon – changing its nature in as many ways as possible without weaving or knotting. Beating, soaking, cutting, scraping, scoring and folding by all the participants followed over a couple of hours, leading to a huge array of possibilities – creating a palette of variations that we could refer to for future projects. The principles and lessons of manipulation taught in this exercise provided us with inspiration to go home and attack our more familiar materials with increased vigour.

Day two of Kazue’s workshop gave us the freedom to pursue a larger project of our own choosing. Participants made a variety of mats and baskets, flat and round, symmetrical and not. My own challenge was to interpret a pair of traditional Finnish plaited shoes – originally made in Birch bark I hoped to understand the process of their construction and how they could be varied to allow for different foot sizes. Far from easy – working from traditional items provides a challenge and with Kazue’s help and patience we got closer to understanding their perfect design.

Having had the good fortune to attend these three workshops and be involved in a small way with the East Weaves West exhibition as an exhibitor, I feel honoured to have gained a small insight into the world of Japanese basketmaking. I hope that for a moment I can speak for all workshop participants and say how much we all enjoyed taking part and a big thankyou to Hisako Sekijima, Noriko Takamiya and Kazue Honma for their generosity with their knowledge and expertise.

Tim Johnson
December 2007

Willow propagation

2008-01-29T20:40:00.000Z

It's that time of year - willow harvesting and replanting. My course will be running this weekend at Quay Arts, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Quay Arts Workshops

a scribbled beginning..........

2008-01-29T19:37:00.000Z

Scribbled notes from my two year old daughter Rosie on my office window - "It's a cat..........no it's a camel" - profound, imaginative, spontaneous - well I hope I can live up to her creative beginnings as I take my first steps in blogworld.

Catch up with my more advanced web presence here.