Richard’s winter-themed images continue to enjoy media coverage both near and far. Québec current affairs journal L’actualité included a fun little piece on the Ice Huts series in a recent issue. In Palma, a beautiful design-focused “lovestyle” magazine from the Spanish Island of Mallorca, published a feature of the Ice Huts and Ice Villages, along with a wonderful article, in their Issue 81. “Cabañas Heladas” is a gorgeous 10-page homage to Richard’s work that introduces it to a new audience in Europe. More information is available here. Many thanks to the editors of these magazines!
Our Private Collectors — Who They Are and Why They Purchase
When it comes to the business side of the studio, what pleases Lucie, the studio’s director and Richard’s lifelong partner, more than anything is talking with people who are interested in learning about his photographs. Though we consider anyone who purchases a print to be a “collector” —including the many corporations and institutions that own Richard Johnson’s work— a significant percentage of our collectors are brand new to buying art. And we love that.
The wide appeal of Richard’s photography is rooted in its celebration of modest structures in the Canadian landscape, and Lucie has countless stories of people who connected immediately with an image’s colours or its representation of winter or the documentation of a specific place —or with all of those aspects.
Prints of Richard’s photographs are very often purchased as gifts. One collector bought an Ice Hut for a relative who had moved overseas, knowing that the iconic Canadian winter landscape would provide a comforting connection to home. Another collector gave a gift certificate from the studio as a wedding gift with the message: Choose the image you like best!
Whatever the reason for considering the purchase of a print, Lucie delights in suggesting images to consider, and the studio can even provide a realistic “mock up” of the framed print in the intended space. We do this because Lucie understands both the significance of the financial investment and that the collector will be living with the image for a long time, so it’s important to be certain the image speaks to you. She understands the need for time to consider the options, and to be certain the selected photograph is one you truly love.
Ice Village #290 in Live Auction for Arts Effect: Vibrant
Our studio is grateful for the invitation to donate an artwork to the Live Auction of this fundraiser for VIBE Arts. “Ice Village 290 La Baie Des Ha!Ha!, Saguenay River, Québec Canada 2020.” (27 x 60 in. Edition 1 of 6) will be available for bidding as Lot 6 in the Live Auction on Thursday May 11th at The Broadview Hotel at 106 Broadview Avenue in Toronto. More information is available on the event website here. Tickets can be purchased here.
VIBE Arts works with equity-seeking groups including newcomer Canadians, racialized young people, Indigenous youth, the LGBTQ+ community and individuals living in poverty to involve thousands of people each year in free arts experiences. The Richard Johnson Studio is delighted to be a part of supporting the VIBE Arts vision of vibrant communities where young people express themselves artistically and use their creativity and leadership to engage fully in community.