barry johnson is a visual artist based in Washington State, whose work explores the figure and its relationship to space. Through his art, he strives to combat the historical erasure of Black figures in art and bring visibility to underrepresented communities. His focus on the figure allows him to capture the human experience and emotions, while space serves as a backdrop for the narrative.

Over the past decade, johnson has taken part in a radical studio practice where he devotes one-year to work on a specific subject. This could take place in the form of a  focus on a certain medium, narrative or color. At the end of the year johnson departs from the series and begins something new.

Through his art, barry hopes to inspire conversations and promote social change. As a Black artist, he is committed to using his platform to amplify marginalized voices and tell stories that have been neglected in the art world. His art is a reflection of his personal experiences and the experiences of those around him.

barry’s art has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Edwin T. Pratt Award, the smART Ventures award, and the GAP Award. johnson was finalist for Seattle Art Museum’s Betty Bowen award along with Cornish School Of Arts Neddy Award.  His work has been exhibited and collected across the United States including Washington D.C.’s State Department collection. Johnson has taken part in residencies including Amazon, Facebook and BASE Experimental Space and he has created multiple public artworks across the Pacific Northwest.

johnson is represented by Wiston Wachter.