JOHNNYX: PANIC PICNIC
29th April - 4th June 2022

Preview: Thursday 28th April 5.30 – 7.30pm

*TV is King (Blue)*, 2018, Acrylics, Screen Print on Fabriano paper, 44 x 32cm

*Drug Store Debbie,* 2022, Acrylics, Screen Print on Fabriano paper, 70 x 50cm

Johnnyx is a printer, painter and multimedia artist based in Newcastle who parodies Pop Art, advertising culture and the socio-political zeitgeist. His bold, colourful multi-layered prints collage together a vicious social commentary.

Drawing on all things popular culture, Johnnyx pulls back the surface of mass communication, to offer an alternate, often disarming, view of life's underbelly. In this way he drills holes into our daily 'information feed', letting a little light shine through. He endeavours to build empathy into the sometimes-conflicting narrative of his work, connecting the viewer to the subject with a secret wink of an eye. He looks to challenge any complacency viewers may have towards accepting life's norms and explores subjects like digital culture, war, politics and protest.

*Sweet Atom Bomb,* 2019, Acrylics, Screen Print on Fabriano paper, 70 x 50cm

*Meanwhile in America,* 2019, Acrylics, Screen Print on Fabriano paper, 44 x 32cm

‘These new and current artworks reflect getting back into the studio and doing those things which were left undone when the world stopped in 2020. All works are screen prints, mostly produced in my new workshop after demolition of the old studio forced me to rethink in time, work and space. As with past works, presented here is a running commentary of life in colourful inks, but, for this show only, there’s an unusual optimism in my work, perhaps the excitement of being back on gallery walls or just the thought of getting outside again, being inspired and working. Either way, no need to panic - enjoy the picnic - whilst we can.’

-Johnnyx, March 2022

*Love is Like a Balloon,* 2022, Acrylics, Screen Print on Fabriano paper, 44 x 32cm

Originally from the North East, Johnnyx has been featured in The New York Times, Financial Times, Newcastle Evening Chronicle, The Crack, NARC, and in 3rd Dimension Magazine. He previously worked in the computer games industry, mainly with DMA Design, the studio which created the game Grand Theft Auto.

His work has been exhibited at Vane Gallery, The NewBridge Project, Gallagher & Turner, B&D Gallery, Berwick Visual Arts, System Gallery, and at Castle Galleries in Manchester and Helium Gallery in London. He has been commissioned by The NewBridge Project and charity Rett UK. An MSc graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone, he taught Animation at Abertay University before deciding to focus on his own visual arts practice. His print work is collected across the UK and USA.

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