About the Artist
Artist Statement
Religion and Saints have always been an important depiction within the art world, they tell stories of people that fought for what they believed in, saints were prosecuted and martyred because of embracing this religion. Exploring the martyrs of the saints was eye opening to discover the horrific terrors that these people endured throughout this time. Within my work I explored creating the narrative of a modern person being a part of this time and killed for these same reasons. Religion to this day is still a powerful thing and in modern day it feels as if it is shoved down our throats, in some cases. I wanted to hold space for the symbols and create the story of what each saint, went through and the torture inflicted upon them.
My second body of work of photographic prints is looking to the mysteries within the modern world. Things that we might see day to day that hold historical significance yet allowing for a new perspective to show through. Throughout these pieces I have been looking to cathedrals, historical districts, state parks, family homes and my friends. Palladium and titanium printing captures an essence of historical mystery that another process might not be able to push, those feelings and emotions. Though the images are not of all one centered area or subject the photographs are allowing for a story to come though among these prints, and I ask you the viewer to connect and create your own story within these pieces.
Biography
Jordyn Johnson is a contemporary artist, is known for her dream like use of colors, that create an atmospheric perspective throughout her work as she depicts scenes that touch personal and contemporary subjects.
Johnson grew up in Beresford, South Dakota. A small town thirty minutes from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She attended Beresford High School and with the help of her High School art teacher she fell in love with oils, Johnson then decided to attend the University of South Dakota for a BFA in Painting. While studying at the University of South Dakota Johnson explored many different subjects throughout her work, within the first few semesters she chose personal struggle and made work about her experience with depression and anxiety and how it had personally affected her life, Johnson then looked to identity, being in her mid-point through her studies she wanted to push her work looking at Jenny Saville gathering influence and research, she started to make work looking on the human form, how clothing compresses against the body and is tailored for a smaller figure. Entering, her last semester at USD Johnson explored the saints of the catholic church and developed a series of five works highlighting on the martyrs of the saints she depicted using modern people within these pieces she looked to herself and family members, and friends to develop her references.
Thus, being Jordyn Johnson is a contemporary painter that is allowing for personal and contemporary subjects that allow to shine though her work, she plans to continue to develop her work and possibly her studies as she plans to graduate this fall semester.