Lin Johnson

The visual sophistication of ancient art demonstrates how early our aesthetic sensibility developed.  I believe our aesthetic sense relates to the underlying geometry of nature and it is this innate sense that I try to explore in much of my work.

I use basic construction methods and a combination of commercial and hand mixed stains and underglazes, leaving much of the clay exposed giving the piece a breathable quality. I often take 2-dimensional shapes, make them into 3-dimensional forms and vice-versa -- a kind of construction and deconstruction.  I try to make objects that are animated, usually asymmetrical, sometimes with a sense of humor and occasionally refer to the human body.  Most recently I am constructing vessels and small sculpture that create a kind of syncopation between the objects themselves, the shapes of the applied color and the spaces between. They are usually asymmetrical and sometimes precarious.

I have been working in clay since 1975.  I was also a high school art instructor (26 years) and taught Clay Studio in the UNM Art Education program (23 years).  My work has been exhibited in a variety of venues including the 22nd San Angelo Competition Tx, the Museum of Fine Arts-Santa Fe, NM, the Smithsonian Renwick Museum, Wash, DC and The 8th annual Workhouse Clay International, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, Va.