Luke Johnson

Artist Statement

My imagination has always been a safe place for me: a place where I can better understand my queer identity and my position in this world.

And so I practice escapism to lead me to places where I can feel safe and express myself openly, which heavily influences my practice. As it is through the creativity of escapism that I find a better sense of self and I find acceptance.

When it comes to dealing with a sense of self, there is beauty in the minute details, as well as the picture as a whole. These specificities are what intrigue me as I draw the figure: honing in on its overall silhouette, as well as the subtleties residing within. I create these winged self-portraits to contemplate how my sense of self has been attacked. Beauty and joy reside in acceptance, and what happens when we lose parts of that?

Charcoal allows for this sense of bleakness to materialize. And yet, beauty still exists within this exposed intimate depiction of healing.

I create to connect with those who still believe in the healing and transformative powers of art. Because it is through art and creativity that we can find inner peace and acceptance.