asper Johns is a seminal American painter, sculptor, and printmaker whose work bridged the gap between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. He is best known for his “re-presentation” of common symbols—things the mind already knows—such as flags, targets, numbers, and maps.
After a brief period of study at the University of South Carolina and a stint in the Army during the Korean War, Johns moved to New York City in the early 1950s. There, he formed a pivotal artistic and personal relationship with artist Robert Rauschenberg, as well as composer John Cage and choreographer Merce Cunningham. Together, they moved away from the intense emotionalism of the Abstract Expressionists toward a more objective, “Neo-Dada” approach.
His career changed overnight in 1958 when gallerist Leo Castelli visited his studio and gave him a solo exhibition. The show was a sensation; the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) purchased three works immediately. His most famous piece from this era is Flag (1954–55), created using encaustic (hot wax) and newspaper collage. This technique allowed Johns to build a rich, sculptural surface that emphasized the artwork as a physical object rather than just a picture of a flag.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Johns expanded his vocabulary to include household objects (like beer cans and light bulbs) cast in bronze, and “crosshatch” patterns that explored the mechanics of vision and memory. His work is characterized by a “philosophical” interrogation of art itself, often leaving the viewer to wonder if the work is a symbol or the object it depicts. Today, Johns is considered one of the most influential living artists, having received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Active in others filds : Printmaking, Sculpture, Stage Design (for Merce Cunningham Dance Company).
