Tag: matt johnson

Matt Johnson in ‘Alien Landscape’ at 303 Gallery

Humor and wonder meet in Matt Johnson’s sculptures, which appear to fantastically adapt unlikely materials.  Whether it’s a t-shirt rising up of its own accord with no wearer or a garden hose twisting in the air, Johnson’s bronze and metal creations initially fool the eye, then entertain.  A standout in 303 Gallery’s summer group show ‘Alien Landscape,’ this cast bronze alien cactus is a new take on space invasion.  (On view by appointment, Tues – Fri, through August 20th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Matt Johnson, Alien Cactus, Cast bronze with oil paint, 18 1/2 x 12 x 5 3/4 inches, 2015.

Matt Johnson at 303 Gallery

The text on this box – ‘Enjoy your delicious moments!’ – is supposed to be an encouragement to appreciate pizza, but it’s also a good way to describe the feeling of realizing that this realistic food box is actually a meticulously crafted, hand painted wooden sculpture by trompe l’oeil master Matt Johnson. (At 303 Gallery in Chelsea through Feb 25th).

Matt Johnson, Untitled (Small Pizza Box), carved wood and paint, 17 ½ x 14 ½ x 7 inches, 2016.
Matt Johnson, Untitled (Small Pizza Box), carved wood and paint, 17 ½ x 14 ½ x 7 inches, 2016.

Matt Johnson in ‘Wanderlust’ on the High Line

Matt Johnson’s ‘Untitled (Swan)’ marries industrial materials to the natural world by shaping a train track into the shape of an abstract swan set in the High Line’s lush gardens. Known for morphing everyday items – a crumpled Starbucks cup carved from wood and painted, a stack of plastic party cups actually rendered in painted bronze – into objects of wonder, this twisted rail pays homage to the former rail line on which it’s installed. (In ‘Wanderlust’ on the High Line through March 2017).

Matt Johnson, Untitled (Swan), bent train track, 120 x 138 x 34 ¾ inches, 2016.
Matt Johnson, Untitled (Swan), bent train track, 120 x 138 x 34 ¾ inches, 2016.

 

Matt Johnson at 303 Gallery

Matt Johnson, Wifebeater, bronze, 2011.
Matt Johnson, Wifebeater, bronze, 2011.

Conceived of by accident when a shirt used as a glue rag dried into an arresting form, Matt Johnson’s Wifebeater is as pedestrian and delicately ephemeral as a plastic bag in the wind.  At least on first glance.  A closer look reveals Johnson’s trademark twist of using unlikely materials to make his sculpture.  This t-shirt is made of bronze.  (At Chelsea’s 303 Gallery through Nov 17th.)