Lance Johnson is a Bronx-born mixed media artist who recently moved to Columbus. He uses his work as a vehicle for urban development and celebrates the diversity of the urban landscape. Lance will paint live around BAM Thursdays on July 22nd at the Columbus Museum of Art. We spoke to Lance about his creative process, what inspires him these days and what he loves most about Columbus.
Lauren: Your work has so much energy. Show us how to build a piece.
Lance: I am inspired by the energy, movement and liveliness of the urban landscape. I’m all about shifts. The basis is the graffiti style words that I use. I activate the canvas with inspiring words. Like walls I’d see in New York, layers of old graffiti mixed with new graffiti and torn posters and remnants of urban decay. I try to recreate the textures and layers of depth in every piece I create.
Work by Lance Johnson.
Lauren: Where did you find your inspiration last year? Lance: This year taught us all the values of community and inspirational imagery. I was fortunate enough to transmit my artistic expression through workshops online. Working with young children and being inspired by their dedication to creating despite crazy times really gave me incredible motivation.
Lauren: What’s on your playlist right now?
Lance: Music is so important to my artistic practice. I take my playlists seriously! I always have jazz (Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Robert Glasper) and hip hop (Tribe Called Quest, J Cole, Kendrick, Jay-Z). I mix in some instrumentals (J Dilla, Black Milk and Hi-Tek).
Artist Lance Johnson.
Lauren: Tell us about your upcoming creative projects.
Lance: I have a couple of things to look forward to. I’m painting live on Thursday, July 22nd, at BAM in the Columbus Museum of Art, this August I’m doing Scrawl 15, that should be really dope. I’m really looking forward to a solo show at Streetlight Guild at the end of August. Also summer spray at Short North in September. I will curate my first exhibition in early 2022. I’m extremely happy about that! It will be at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington.
Lauren: What’s the best thing about the Columbus art scene right now?
Lance: The best thing about the Columbus art scene is how collaborative it is. I love how networked the art organizations are and how many synergies there are. It’s such a close-knit community and it’s so refreshing. I’m about connecting and building each other, so it’s perfect for me.
Work by Lance Johnson.
Art by Lance Johnson.
Lauren: Where do people find your job?
Lance: I’m on social networks … Instagram (@lanceljart), Facebook (@lanceljayart) and I’m starting to get into this TikTok thing (@ ljartlife7). Also my website is Ljartlife.com.
See artists creating live every week at the Columbus Museum of Art BAM Thursdays, with Lance appearing in the July 22nd issue.
Columbus makes art gifts is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – to support and develop the art and culture fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign and tells the inspiring stories of the people and organizations that create Columbus art. Find out more about local artists, organizations, public art and events below ColumbusMakesArt.com.
Lauren Emond is the Community Engagement Manager at the Columbus Museum of Art.
