Bio
| Richard Johnson |
| About Typologies Typology is the study of types, and a photographic typology is a suite of images or related forms, shot in a consistent, repetitive manner; to be fully understood, the images must be viewed as a complete series. - Kristine McKenna, 'Photo Visions', Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec 1991. Artist Statement: Ice Huts As with its distant cousins the native Teepee and the Igloo, the Ice Fishing Hut has its own essential purpose. It must be weather resistant and transportable, giving basic shelter and access to the ground beneath it. Richard is traveling across Canada comparing the similarities, and differences, of Ice Fishing architecture between provinces. These provisional shelters offer a colourful glimpse into the Canadian culture of Ice Fishing. Faux wood paneling, sheet metal, tarpaulins, peak roofs, modified camping trailers all fulfill the requirements for shelter. The Ice Huts project, now in its 6th year, consists of more than 650 individual huts laid out in a typological survey. In 2010, Richard encountered hundreds of huts grouped together in northern Quebec and Manitoba. This series, entitled Ice Villages, are photographed as wide panoramas integrating the structures into the landscape. Hockey rinks for the children, restaurants, rental huts and even hydro poles to illuminate these villages into the night bear witness to these seasonal Communities. His latest series, entitled Ice Huts Storm, concentrates on a small community in northern New Brunswick on Chaleur Bay. Colourful shapes poke out from a seamless background, lost in a landscape of driving snow. Birds hover overhead waiting for fishermen's scraps. Tarpaulin enclosures flap like a weathered flag in the relentless wind. Exhibitions 2012 - RJ Gallery - Ice Huts Storm, Contact 2012 2011 - Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden, Ice Huts & Ice Villages show 2010 - Toronto Image Works Gallery, Ice Villages Solo show 2010 – Lester B Pearson Lobby, Ottawa, FACC Collection, Ice Huts Solo show 2009 – Toronto Image Works Gallery, Toronto, Ice Huts Solo show 2009 – Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, Kitchener, Ice Huts Solo show 2009 – GTAA Terminal One, Toronto, Folk Architecture – Ice Huts Solo show 2008 – GTAA Terminal One, Toronto, Ice Huts - Coming Home group show 2008 – Contact Festival group show of juried winners, Toronto, Ice Huts 2007 – Richard Johnson Gallery, Toronto, Ice Huts, first public showing Awards/Grants 2010 - Ontario Arts Council Grant; Emerging Visual Artists 2008 – Contact Portfolio Review - Jury Selected - First Place - Ice Huts, Contact 2008 Photography Festival, Toronto Published Work / Reviews 2011 - Globe & Mail Arts Review: Ice Villages by RM Vaughan 2010 - Globe & Mail Folio: Ice Villages by Lisa Rochon 2009 – CAPIC Expose – Ice Huts, 2 pages 2009 – National Post, Review by Leah Sandals - Ice Huts at TIW Gallery 2009 – Applied Arts Awards Issue, Ice Huts 2008 – En Route Magazine, Ice Huts 2008 – Globe & Mail review by Gary Michael Dault Ice Huts at RJ Gallery 2005 – Azure Magazine, Garbage Bins Collections 2011 - Foreign Affairs Canada; Ice Villages for Canadian Embassies 2010 - Edelman Canada Collection: Ice Huts 2010 – Foreign Affairs Canada: Ice Huts for Canadian Embassies 2009 – Private Collectors 2008 – Bank of Montreal, Private Collectors Professional Experience 2002 – 2010 – Photo Based Artist Series: Photo-a-Day ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, Typologies: Elevated Water Tanks, Chip Wagons, Ice Huts Garbage Bins of Wasaga Beach, Tobacco Drying Huts 1992 – 2010 – Architectural Photographer Owner of Interior Images - a division of Richard Johnson Photography Inc, Toronto, specializing in Architectural Photography for Architects and Designers 1978 – 1992 – Commercial Interior Designer Education 1977 – 1979 Algonquin College, Ottawa, Diploma of Interior Design 1975 – 1977 Carleton University, Ottawa, Engineering |
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