Dear Press and Reviewers,
Wood Johnson’s far reaching diverse topics and materials is on view here at Matter Studio through July 16th.
His graphic Lino Block printed posters have graced the cover pages of the Black Panther Community Service Newsletters, book covers and playbills as well.
As an educator up in the Oakland area, he has informed and inspired many emerging artists through his many years of creating artwork. Initially a sculptor carving in wood, then a printmaker, and eventually a painter. In his most recent paintings, he has developed a body of work he refers to as his “Negroglyphics” where he has created a language of primitive symbols and characters that he uses to communicate messages. These written characters communicate the stories and histories that he imagines might have been used to communicate between enslaved Africans from different tribes or countries, who might have been forced to serve the same household. Mr. Johnson realizes the need to speak of the past injustices in order to continue our pursuit of freedom and justice for all human beings. With the Supreme Court continuing to undermine and overturn the ever-slow-moving arch towards equability, he realizes the fight for Civil Rights and freedom must continue with even more urgency!
I hope you will take the time to explore his work and consider reviewing this poignant exhibition in Matter Studio Gallery.
