Fran Johnson

https://www.franjohnsoncreate.com/

Johnson's paintings are a testament to the enduring significance of abstraction in art. They could be likened to short movies; not the kind with a linear narrative, but rather, those that evoke a myriad of interpretations with each viewing. Her work demands an active viewer, one whose imagination is set alight, seeing different shapes and narratives emerge and recede like tides within the boundaries of her canvas. In "Fading Flowers," for instance, one can see the delicate dance of decay and rebirth, a motif that is at once universal and deeply personal.

Fran Johnson emerges as a contemporary tour de force in abstract painting, her canvases resonating with a vibrancy that echoes the experimental spirits of Wassily Kandinsky and the emotional depth of Mark Rothko. Johnson's work, like Kandinsky's, delves into the realm of abstract expressionism, with a keen eye for color dynamics and an evident passion for exploring the emotive power of hues and forms. Yet, her paintings do not merely replicate the aesthetics of the past; they are distinctly modern, harnessing the chaos and complexity of contemporary life.

Fran Johnson's abstract paintings can be likened to an anthology of short films, each canvas a unique narrative that unfolds through the viewer's imagination. Much like a collection of avant-garde cinema, her works do not dictate a story but rather evoke a kaleidoscope of emotions and images, leaving space for personal interpretation and introspection.

Take, for example, "Brilliance" with its fiery amalgamation of reds and oranges against a backdrop of more subdued tones; it invites viewers to construct their own narratives, reminiscent of a film's opening scene that sets the mood without revealing the plot. In "Defining Spaces," the geometric elements interspersed with vibrant splashes suggest a montage of scenes, each frame a potential subplot in the viewer's mind, echoing the disjointed yet evocative sequences found in experimental cinema.

Johnson's artistry transforms viewers into active participants, much like an interactive film where scenes change based on the audience's reactions. The narrative of each 'film' remains fluid, an ever-changing reflection of the emotions and thoughts projected onto it by its beholder. Her paintings, in essence, are visual symphonies that continue to play long after the viewer has looked away, the imagery lingering and morphing within the mind's eye, a testament to the enduring power of abstract art to captivate and inspire.

What makes Johnson's art particularly noteworthy is her ability to balance chaos with control. In "It's Complicated," the interplay of colors and textures creates a harmonious disarray, mirroring the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Similarly, in "Peeking Through Stars," there's a cosmic quality, an invitation to gaze into the universe that sprawls beyond our comprehension, yet feels intimately connected to the core of our being. These are not just paintings; they are experiences, journeys that begin anew with every glance.

Johnson is also giving to the art world a refreshing sincerity. In an age of digital reproduction and mass media, her paintings stand out as singular moments of human expression. They are tactile, visceral, and brimming with the touch of the artist's hand. This haptic quality is what aligns her with the likes of Mark Rothko, whose large, immersive color fields were intended to envelop the viewer in an environment of reflection and emotional depth. Johnson's "Western Landscape" evokes a similar sense of contemplation, with its rich, earthy tones and subtle gradations suggesting the vastness of the natural world.

In her use of space and form, Johnson pays homage to the legacy of abstract art while pushing its boundaries. She understands the canvas as a field of possibilities where depth and texture play critical roles. "Fire & Ice" is particularly emblematic of her skill, presenting a dichotomy of colors that battle and embrace in equal measure, a visual metaphor for the opposing forces that define our existence.

Johnson's work possesses an architectural quality, as seen in "Defining Spaces," where the illusion of depth and structure challenges the flatness of the medium. This spatial manipulation harkens back to Kandinsky's compositions, where the arrangement of elements on the canvas creates a sense of movement and rhythm.

The kinetic energy in Johnson's work is palpable, as if the paintings are alive with motion. "Fission" is a clear example, with its explosive color palette and dynamic composition suggesting transformation and the creation of something new from the old. This is the essence of Johnson's contribution to the art world: a constant evolution, a fearless approach to creation that is both personal and universal.

Fran Johnson stands as a modern interpreter of abstract expressionism, infusing her work with a profound understanding of color theory and composition. Her paintings are not passive but engage the viewer in a dialogue that transcends time and space. They are short movies of the mind, where each individual is the director of their own experience. Johnson's gift to the art world is a reminder that abstraction is not just a style but a language that speaks to the depths of the human condition.

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, Fran Johnson secures her place as a compelling abstract painter whose works resonate with the emotional depth and exploratory zeal that characterize the best of modern artistry. Her canvases are not mere echoes of abstract expressionism's golden era but are vibrant, living entities that speak to the core of contemporary experience.

Johnson's paintings, akin to an assemblage of short films, offer a visual lexicon for the ineffable—a place where color, form, and texture intersect to evoke narratives as diverse as the viewers who encounter them. Each piece serves as a testament to the boundless potential of the human imagination, akin to a director leaving gaps in the storyline for the audience to fill.

Within the contemporary art scene, Johnson is both a preserver and an innovator. Her work upholds the tradition of abstract expressionism, echoing the emotional intensity of Rothko and the compositional ingenuity of Kandinsky, while simultaneously breaking new ground. Her canvases beckon the onlooker to a unique kind of dialogue, one that is deeply personal yet universal, silent yet eloquently communicative.

Fran Johnson's art contributes to the narrative of contemporary art by ensuring that abstraction remains not only relevant but vital. Her work reaffirms the power of non-representational art to reflect the complexities of the human condition and to connect with an audience on a primal and intuitive level. In a world saturated with literal imagery and digital media, Johnson's paintings stand as a sanctuary for the soul, a place where the language of emotion speaks louder than words, and the canvas becomes a portal to myriad inner visions.

By Marta Puig

Contemporary Art Curator Magazine