DVAA Member since 2015

Willard (Goby) Johnson

Website:

About:

I'm a visual artist, poet, living in Philadelphia since 1964. I work in acrylic, water color, pen and ink. and make from trash I find on the street. I sign my art with my birth name, Willard... in memory of my maternal grandfather who died two weeks before I was born, and out of love and respect for my Uncle, Willard Hardin--who was both big brother and mentor.

Artist Statement:

When abstract art moves beyond pleasing the eye with color and pattern, it can present the viewer with an enigma, an aporia, that suggests the possibility of symbolic meaning--while denying its realization. If, as I believe, all of our encounters with material reality, are invested with latent symbolic power--by forestalling that power it's emergence lies just out of reach-- where it cannot be translated into language, or interpreted as anything other than what it is---mind, imagination, and perception. By denial of closure, the art will remain radially open, pointing the way toward a truly revolutionary vision