Stephen Johnston, an Irish artist, is known for his highly detailed pencil drawings that blend everyday objects with deep socio-political symbolism. His work often reflects the complexities of life in Northern Ireland, where he was born and raised, drawing parallels between historical tensions and contemporary global issues.
His featured piece, “Petrol Bomb” (pencil on Hahnemuhle paper, 57x40x3 cm), transforms a simple hot sauce bottle into a symbol of latent unrest. The unlit match leaning against the bottle and the tissue paper reminiscent of a fuse imbue the drawing with a sense of potential volatility. This provocative work mirrors the fragile nature of peace in Western democracies and invites viewers to contemplate whether lessons from the past can help prevent future conflict. The detailed craftsmanship, combined with evocative imagery, makes this piece both visually striking and conceptually profound.
Johnston, a graduate of the University of Ulster in Belfast, has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including The De Veres Art Award and The Towry Award for Best from Northern Ireland at the NOAC. His work has been exhibited internationally, with shows in Belfast, Dublin, London, Paris, and Australia, including at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery. His drawings are held in private collections around the world, and he has received public acquisitions from the Northern Ireland Arts Council.
As a finalist in the category of Drawing for the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize 2024, Johnston’s work will be displayed at the Finalist Exhibition at Bakerhouse Gallery, Graz, Austria, opening to the public on Friday, October 18th, 18:00. His intricate drawings, with their fusion of still-life tradition and modern commentary, will undoubtedly captivate and provoke thought.
For more about Stephen Johnston’s artwork and philosophy, visit his website at www.stephen-johnston.co.uk or his Profile on scan.art.
For more information about the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize, visit our website www.scan.art/emergingartistprize
