For Toronto artist Richard Johnson, large format digital photography was his way of documenting the structures that shape our cultures and communities, and preserving these places in a rapidly shifting world.
October Update:
Fall has arrived. I am still working on new products for the gallery. I am working on packaging for the new silk scarves with Richard’s series Allegro and Jetée. I’ll be releasing 200 of each selected prints. Details coming up on our social media platform shortly. Follow up by sending an email using contact, or on Instagram: richardjohnson_gallery
Thankfull to have secure the services of a colleague to give me a hand with the technical aspect of the business, like creating mock ups for our collectors, giving them visuals of what their selection will look like in the space - something Richard and I enjoyed doing.
White Wall North will be exhibiting a sample of richard’s body of work until Decemebr 2022, you can drop in anytime Monday to Saturday from 9 to 5 to view photographs from the Ice Huts, Ice Villages, Storm, Allegro, Jeté and Root Cellars series. As always I am happy to meet with you, and take you through the stories. The gallery is located at 1335 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3A 1C6. To contact the gallery, please call (647) 258-0044.
For more information about purchasing RIchard’s photographs, please email me at rsvp@richardjohnson.ca
Life is precious,
Lucie
Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ:
In 2018 the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) invited me to submit my Ice Huts series for display in Terminal 3, Pier A Connector Tunnel. [ view movie here - 5 mins ] There are 6 wall niches, 46' long x 6' high. Three of the niches have Ice Huts, 3 have Ice Villages. The Huts are laid out east to west, like looking at map of Canada, British Columbia on the left, Newfoundland on the right. The moving sidewalk takes you on this journey, coast to coast. [ view movie here - 5 mins ] As Marcus Schubert writes; "In his typology style survey, Johnson presents us with an array of variations; an exploration that is as much a record of his journey to the vast, wintry wilderness of sporting leisure as it is a striking document of the temporary, idiosyncratic structures that appear upon its pale horizon. Through his photographs we are invited to compare both functional and aesthetic similarities, and differences, as manifested in variations of colour, design, emblematic detail, accessory, relative proximity to one another and the implied sub-cultural significance to their creators. The making of these curious buildings seem universal in conception but highly individual in execution; a form of renegade architecture that verges on the development of a vernacular folk art tradition. Special thanks to Architect Ian MacDonald for his insight and words of wisdom. [ view movie here - 5 mins ]
National Geographic Magazine:
When National Geographic came looking for images to support an article entitled The Lure of Cold Places, they required proof of authenticity of my raw image data files, ensuring no manipulation beyond their strict allowances. As fake news, misinformation and deception fight for headlines, it was an honour to work with a publication that holds the highest standards of journalistic ethics and integrity as its’ number one priority.
Gallery on The Esplanade, Toronto:
Selection of 12 Ice Huts published in National Geographic Magazine, Dec 2019.
Bits & Pieces:
