Born in Seoul, Korea, and currently based in Indianapolis, IN, Willard Johnson's work invites viewers to embark on an interpretive journey through an intricate fusion of cultures and our digitally mediated existence. Utilizing mixed media - painting, drawing, and collage, his pieces oscillate between abstraction and figuration, each serving as a kaleidoscopic tapestry of personal experiences and cultural touchpoints.
Johnson's art is not merely a reflection of 21st-century life, but a reinvention of it - a surreal and poignant invitation to perceive our shared reality through a prism of juxtaposed memories, anticipations, and experiences. Each piece challenges us to navigate the liminal spaces of our existence, encouraging new connections, perspectives, and contemplations.
His paintings offer a deeply personal yet universally relatable lens to experience the nuances of our world today, sparking introspection, challenging perceptions, and igniting a renewed understanding of what it means to be part of this dynamic human tapestry.
After completing his BA from Anderson University in 2010, he received his Masters of Fine Art, Painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2015.