Greg JOHNS
Over the last two decades, the Australian landscape has become a major influence on my sculpture. It is not however the only influence; over the last 29 years of practice, a layering of ideas has gradually unfolded and evolved. These conceptual notions are now well rooted in this landscape.
The sculpture still, consciously, reaches out to "big picture" themes, but the viewing platform has been constructed amongst the Australian flora and fauna.
I still find strongly that most culturally valuable art work (including music) has a significant local characteristic; rather than adopting, without questioning, international influences alone. The local, rather than the global alone, provide the unique spices, flavouring which can create a different, significant vision, which can then reach out to the global.
As a sculptor living in Adelaide, the "local" context for me is important. Within 2 hours I can be in the Flinders Ranges, a wonderful backyard playground. In December 2002, I bought 403 acres at Palmer in the Adelaide Hills; rain shadow country, similar to the Flinders, with monolithic standing stones, and a rock escarpment populated with the sleeping giants of the Australian landscape, Xanthoria (Yacca's). This place is important to me. It is where I can walk, get away, dream - when I am not involved with the large scale environmental restoration of the property. Palmer has impacted on several works in this show. 'Seaing the Land, Feeling the Land (metamorphic)' and 'Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground' to name two. It is big sky country under which sits an archetypal Australian landscape. A great place to put sculpture in - I have now erected 5 major permanent works out there. They sing in this environment!
Although I live in the suburbs, my sculpture is not entirely urban in feel; there is a roughness, toughness, vulnerability about the work which is different in feel to the painted, highly finished work of the urban based sculptures in Sydney. This is not to question the validity of either approach, but to simply point out the difference.
There is also finally a twist in my story as an Adelaide based artist is that the recognition and acceptance of my sculpture has come from outside my home town. I personally feel far more connected in my concerns as a sculptor to the object matters of Melbourne than to the 'Conceptual' non-makers of Adelaide.
I find myself then in an interesting space, feeling closely connected in terms of the landscape surrounding me, but largely disconnected from the concerns of the local Adelaide Art practice. As an object maker, I am connected to the Eastern States, but the resultant sculpture is different in feel - I believe because it is from another region.
I sense in Australian sculpture at present a variety of regional approaches arising. I believe this is worth embracing, we can all learn from each other, rather than defending a singular "right" approach. There is also room perhaps for a hybridizing to occur between the regions, while simultaneously maintaining a particular local flavour.
Greg JOHNS cv
1953 born Greg Johns, Adelaide, S.A..Trained at S.A.n School of Art 1975-78
Diploma of Fine Arts, working full time as a sculptor since 1978
Member of New York Sculptors' Guild
Committee member of Collaborations (Linking Art and Architecture 1990-1994)
Member of International Sculptor Centre
Exhibiting with the New Art Centre, London,the New York Sculptors' Guild, N.Y. Helpman Academy Mentor for young artist.
Art Prizes / Competitions Whyalla Sculpture Prize 1980.
V.A.B. Grant 1980.
S.A.n Art's Grant 1981, 1983, 1986, 1988 (part assistance to work, & travel in the U.S.A. and Europe; Artist in Residence at Rhode Island School of Art ), 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997.
Happy Valley Community Art's Grant, 1991 (to design a Children's Sculptural Playground).
S.A.n Art's Grant 1991 (to exhibit 3 works at Emil Leonard Gallery, New York).
First Prize, REDAS International Sculpture Competition, Singapore 1993.
Art and Architecture Prize, S.A. 1993.
Hakone Sculpture Competition 1992, 1994, Japan.
Award of Merit R.A.I.A. (S.A. Chapter) 1994 (short listed for National Award).
Commendation Art and Architecture R.A.I.A. (S.A. Chapter) 1994.
Award of Merit, B.H.P. Colourbond Steel Award, R.A.I.A. (S.A. Chapter) Collaboration Award, Artists/Architecture Team, Swallowcliffe Primary School, 1995
Award of Merit R.A.I.A., 1995 New Building, (Collaborative Award) Swallowcliffe Primary School, 1995.
Civic Award (S.A.) Collaborative Award, Swallowcliffe Primary School, 1995
C.E.A.D. Award (National) Australia Council, Collaborative Award, Swallowcliff Primary School, 1995.
Australia Grant 1997 (to develop new studio work)
State and National Heart Awards for design of play ground space 1997
Finalist, Kowloon Station Commission, Hong Kong
National Finalist, Woollahra Sculpture Prize for small sculpture, 2001.
Award of Merit, Collaborative with TECTVS Architects for renovation of Dawson home, 2000.
Stonnington Landscaping Award, Melb. Joint award for sculpture "Origin" and to Landscape Architects for surrounding landscaping, 2001
Selected sculptor for focal sculpture for entry to Shanghai Art Fair, 2004
Waterhouse prize for sculpture (natural history award) 2004
Lempriere Sculpture prize Finalist 2005
Solo Exhibitions
1980 Bonython Gallery, Adelaide.
1981 Roundspace Gallery, Adelaide
1983 Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Bonython Gallery, Adelaide
1987 Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Adelaide
Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
1991 Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Adelaide, Survey Exhibition, 1978-1991
Solander Gallery, Canberra, Survey Exhibition, 1978-1991
1992 Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Adelaide- Festival Exhibition , 3 large outdoor sculptures.
Bridge Street Gallery, Sydney.
1993 Greenaway Gallery, Adelaide
1994 Solander Gallery, Canberra
Meridian Gallery, Melbourne, Survey Exhibition, 1976-1994
Carrick Hill Sculpture Park S.A. Survey Exhibition, 1978-1991
1995 Singapore, Anima Gallery at the Australian High Commission
1996 Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Greenaway Gallery, Adelaide
1997 New York, Robert Steele Gallery
1998 Greenaway Gallery
1999 Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
2000 Aptos Cruz Gallery, Adelaide, 25 year Retrospect.
Australian Art Resources, Melbourne
2001 A Small Sculpture Garden - Opening of a sculpture garden at the artists studio with permanent and changing pieces.
New York- Robert Steele Gallery.
Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
B.M.G. Gallery, Adelaide.
2002 Australian Art Resources, Melb.
Aptos Cruz Gallery, Adelaide.
2003 Australian Art Resources,Sydney.
Gomboc Gallery, Western Australia.
B.M.G. Gallery, Adelaide
2004 Austalian Art Resources, Melb. - to exhibit.
Aptos Cruz Gallery, Adelaide.
2005 New York, Robert Steele Gallery, to exhibit.
Group Exhibitions - Selected
1977 Art in Architecture, Festival Theatre, Adelaide
1977-78Young Artists, Festival Theatre, Adelaide
1978 Mildura
1980 Adelaide Festival
1981 First Australian Sculpture Tiennial, Melbourne
Young S.A.n Contemporaries, Wollongong, Tamworth
1982 S.A.n Sculptors, Royal Society
Mildura Triennial Adelaide Festival
Recent S.A.n Sculpture, Art Gallery of S.A.
Bonython-Meadmore Gallery Mixed Exhibition, Adelaide.
1983 Ideas on Ice, E.A.F. Adelaide
1984 Art Walk, Adelaide Festival of Arts
1985 Postcard Exhibition, E.A.F. Adelaide
Mildura Triennial
1986 Inaugral Exhibition, Carrick Hill Sculpture Park, Adelaide
Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Festival Exhibition, Adelaide
Artzone Exhibition I and II.
1987 C.A.C. Members' Exhibition
1988 Mildura; Adelaide Festival "In the Making"
Bicentenial Sculpture Exhibition, Sculpture Park 88, Gosford
Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Festival Exhibition
World Expo
1988, large sculpture "Rhythmic Circle"
Brisbane, large steel commissioned sculpture "Continuous Division".
1989 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
Adelaide Week in Himeji Exhibition-Adelaide and Himeji, Japan
New York Sculptors' Guild Annual Exhibition
Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Sydney-Opening Exhibition
"Echoes of Tiananmen" Exhibition, Artzone.
1990 Festival Exhibition, Royal Society
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
Second Australian Contemporay Art Fair, Melbourne
Adelaide-Christchurch Exhibition, Christchurch, N.Z.
1991 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
New York Sculptors' Guild Annual Exhibition
New York Sculptors' Guild Exhibition, Cast Iron Gallery, N.Y.
Emil Leonard Gallery, N.Y.
Clarendon Life Festival, S.A.
Aptoz Cruz Gallery, Adelaide-Sculpture Exhibition.
1992 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
Emil Leonard Gallery, N.Y.
Adelaide Festival - Real and Forged, Contemporary Australian Metal
New York Sculptors' Guild Exhibitions during the International Sculpture Conference Philadelphia.
New York Sculptors' Guild Exhibition
Alice Art Prize
1993 Bridge Street Gallery, Sydney, !0th. Anniversary Exhibition
New York Sculptors' Guild Exhibition, Cast Iron Gallery, N.Y. and Kyoto, Japan
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
Asia Art Fair, Singapore
REDAS Sculpture Exhibition, Singapore
Aspects of Love, Exhibition, Kenhurst Gallery, N.S.W.
Post Script - Meridan Gallery, Melbourne
Greenaway Gallery
1994 Art Fair, Melbourne
New York Sculptors' Guild Annual Exhibition
Alice Prize Exhibition
Meridian Gallery, Melbourne.
1995 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
"Floating Exhibition" - New York Sculptors' Guild, N.Y.
Sculpture 7-Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Sculpture 95 - S.A.n Sculptors, Royal Society Gallery.
1996 Stamford Museum, U.S.A.
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
New York Sculptors' Guild Annual Exhibition.
Royal Society Historical Exhibition, 1945-1996
Sculpture 8 - Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
1997 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Winterslow, Wiltshire, U.K.
Sculpture 9 - Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
1998 Robert Steele Gallery, New York
Roche Court Sculptural Garden. Winterslow, Wiltshire. U.K.
Sculpture 10 - Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Australian Contempory Art Fair, Melbourne
New York Sculptors Guild Sixtieth Anniversary Exhibition.
Directors Choice, Gallery 101, Melbourne.
C.A.C. Members Show, Adelaide.
1999 Volume and Form, International Exhibition, Singapore.
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Wiltshire, England.
Art Gallery of S.A., Moet- Chandon Purchases Exhibition.
New York Sculptors Guild at Grounds For Sculpture, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Sculpture 11-Robin Gibson Gallery,Sydney.
The Artists Table-Adelaide Central School Of Art.
C.A.C. Members Show, Adelaide.
2000 Encounters- Bahrain, International Exhibition.
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Wiltshire, England.
Senses- Kuwait, International Exhibition.
New York Sculptors Guild at Chesterwood, U.S.A.
Sculpture 12- Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
Robert Steele Gallery, New York.
Chemistry Exhibition, State Gallery of S.A.
New York Sculptors Guild at The Arts Centre, New York State.
Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne.
Garden Exhibition, Central School of Art, Adelaide.
C.A.C. Members Show, Adelaide.
2001 Robert Steele Gallery, New York.
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Wiltshire, England.
Sculpture 13 - Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney.
2001 An Art Odyssey, Adelaide,S.A.
Easter Sculpture Exhibition, Qdos Gallery, Vic.
Garden Exhibition, Central School of Art, S.A.
C.A.C. Members Show, Adelaide.
2002 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Wiltshire, England.
Robert Steele Gallery, New York - major international show.
Axia Gallery ,Melb. Focus On Sculpture.
Austalian Art Resources, Sydney, Opening Group Exhibition.
Toorak Festival Of Sculpture, Melbourne.
Sculpture By The Sea, Sydney.
Viz Biz Exhibition, Adelaide Festival Centre, Alelaide.
Bella Cosa S.A.L.A. Exhibition.
C.A.C. Members Show, Adelaide.
Campbelltown Sculpture Show,Sydney.
Melbourne International Art Fair.
2003 Roche Court Sculpture Garden, Wiltshire, England.
Sculpture Survey, Gomboc Gallery, W.A., invited artist in focus.
New York Budget Art Fair.
McClelland Gallery Survey of Australian Sculpture Exhibition
6" Exhibition, Defiance Gallery, Sydney.
12" exhibition, B.M.G. Gallery, Adelaide.
C.A.C. Members Exhibition.
Australian Art Resources, Sydney.
Waterhouse Prize Exhibition, Adelaide.
2004 Palmer Inaugral Sculpture Exhibition, Palmer , S.A.
Adelaide Festival of Arts
Zoo Walk Exhibition, Adelaide Fringe
Toorak Festival Of Sculpture, Melbourne.
Roche Court Sculpture Garden, England
Shanghai Art Fair - China
Sculpture By The Sea - Sydney
Sculpture By The Sea Indoor Exhibition, Sydney
Robert Steele Gallery Sculpture Exhibition Ð New York
Fleurieu Heritage Exhibition Ð S.A.
Qdos Gallery Easter Exhibition, - Victoria
Tangibility Metal Exhibition, Pt. Pirie, S.A.
Sculpture in the Bush, - Victoria
Waterhouse Prize Exhibition (SA, VIC, N.S.W.)
Belalie Gallery, Jamestown, S.A.
Norwood Sculpture Exhibition, - S.A
Two Person Exhibitions
2002 Bella Cosa Gallery- Landscape Connections Exhibition with Ken Orchard.
Solo Exhibitions of Large Sculptures
1977 "Stepdown", 3.3m x 12m x 3,3m - The Institute of Technology, Pooraka
1979 "Dual", 19m x 3.6m x 7m - Adelaide University
1982 "Rhythmic Circle", 3.3 x 3.3m x 1.8m - Adelaide Festival of Arts
1983-84 "Rhythmic Circle", 3.3 x 3.3m x 1.8m - State Gallery of S.A. and BMG Gallery
1988 "Pattern 1", 3.5m x 3.5 x 2m - BMG Fine Art
1988-89 "Shield 1" - BMG Fine Art
1991-2000 "Pattern 1" - Kenhurst Gallery, N.S.W.
1992-2000 "Guardian Figures" - Kenhurst Gallery, N.S.W.
"Shield 1" -Aptoz Cruz Gallery, S.A.
1993/94/95 "Returning Figure" - Greenaway Gallery, Adelaide
The Barossa Festival, S.A.
19931995/96 "Voyagers (To The Horizon)" - Aptoz Cruz Gallery, S.A.
1996 "Floating Figure" - Waite Institute
"Flying Figure" - Greenaway Gallery, Adelaide
1997 "Entrance Figures" - State Administration Building
1998/99 "Excavator I," - Greenaway Gallery, Adelaide.
1998 "Into The Out And Back - Sub- Urban", Marion Council.
2000 Coriole Music Festival
2000-2001 Aptos Cruz Gallery, Adelaide - 4 major works.
2001-2002 B.M.G. Gallery, Adelaide. Major work, "Floating Figure"
2002 University of S.A. Art Museum - 3 large scale sculptures.
Palmer Sculpture And Environmental Landscape- "Floating Figure1"
2003 Pilgrims Lane, Adelaide, three major works.
2004 Palmer Sculpture and Environmental Landscape.
Palmer Sculpture and Environmental Landscape - 5 major works.
Fleurieu Biennale - Bella Cosa Sculpture Park
Collections
Royal Meridian Hotel, Bahrain
Tulloch Collection, England
Cohn Collection, New York
Fuchs Collection, U.S.A.
Fraser Collection, France
Mattern Collection, Conneticut, U.S.A.
Wing Tai Collection, Singapore
Maeda Environmental Art Co. Collection, Japan
Australian National University
Art Gallery of S.A.
Glenelg Council, S.A.
Carrick Hill Sculpture Park, S.A. - State Collection
Whyalla Arts Council, S.A.
Artbank Collection
Benalla Gallery, Victoria
Commonwealth Bank Collection, Adelaide
Adelaide University Collection
St. Vincent's Hospital Collection, Sydney
Holmes a Court Collection
Sculpture Park 1988, Gallery 460, N.S.W.
Mt. Lofty Botanical Gardens Collection, S.A.
Pembroke School, Adelaide
City of Brisbane Council
Manchester Unity-Hibernian Collection, Adelaide
Tasmanian University Collection, Hobart
Port Pirie Council Collection, S.A.
Wyatt Benevolent Trust Collection, Adelaide
S.A.N.T.O.S. Collection, Adelaide
Olivet House Collection, Adelaide
Bailleu Myer Collection, Melbourne
Gandel Collection, Melbourne
Kym Bonython Collection, Adelaide
Faulding Collection, Adelaide, U.S.A. England
Knutson Collection, U.S.A. and Australia
Waite Institute Collection, S.A.
Diana Laidlaw, Honourable Minister for the Arts Collection, Adelaide
Best Collection, Jersey, Channel Islands.
Banks Collection, Melbourne.
Spivakowsky Collection, Melbourne.
City of Pt. Adelaide, Enfield.
Kidd Collection, Adelaide.
Tweddell Collection, Adelaide.
Nicholas Collection,N.S.W.
OConnor Collection U.S.A.
Cousins Collection, N.SW.
Chadstone Shopping Centre, Victoria.
Thyer Collection, Adelaide.
Caff Collection, England.
Ziegler Collection, Melbourne.
Adler Collection, Adelaide.
Bankers Trust Collection, Maritime Trade Towers, Sydney.
Riverbank Collection, Adelaide.
City of Marion Collection.
Arts S.A. Collection.
T.A.B. Collection, Sydney.
33 York St. Sydney Collection.
Docklands, Melbourne.
Guilford Bell & Graham Fischer Architects.
BT Funds Management.
Watergardens, Victoria.
Mistletoe Winery, N.S.W.
Shoreman Park Collection.
Maroondah City Council.
Deutsche Asset Management
HSBC
Bluescope Steel Limited.
Probuild.
Mullins Collection.
Australian National University.
330 Collins St.,Melb
Palmer Environmental/Sculptural Landscape - 5 Major works.
Lord Harwood Collection, England.
Crown Casino, Southbank, Melbourne.
Crown Casino Hotel, Melbourne.
Clarke Collection, England
Barry Somerstein Collection, Florida, U.S.A.
Neil Collection, Victoria
Private Collections - New South Wales, S.A., Victoria, A.C.T. Western Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, England and Singapore.