PRISKA C. JUSCHKA FINE ART: Aaron Johnson’s Hellhound Rodeo

May 3 - June 16, 2007

Written by Don Porcella in New York

Aaron Johnson's third solo show at Priska C. Juschka Fine Art is entitled, “Hellhound Rodeo”. Johnson unique approach to painting (1) has developed into a very creative, lyrical language capable of handling the messed up world we live in today with sass and diligence. Demonic testosterone crazed characters act out an egomaniacal power monger agenda. We as viewers are taken along on a wild and crazy ride.

^{“Hellhound Rodeo” by Aaron Johnson
Courtesy of Priska C. Juschka Fine Art}

Johnson’s unique process creates a mysterious result that is difficult to decipher how the paintings were made. This gives the paintings a life beyond just an initial impression. Viewers study his paintings for clues as to how they were made and the details in his work keep us coming back for more.

^{”Hatchet Man” by Aaron Johnson
Courtesy of Priska C. Juschka Fine Art}

When you first view Johnson’s paintings his wild use of color grabs you by the throat. Stare deep into Johnson’s paintings and you just might get a sense of what a 1960’s acid-induced trip felt like. Johnson’s use of Op-Art (optical art) patterning and crazy psychedelic colors create a fantastical acid induced freak show.

^{”Strong Man” by Aaron Johnson
Courtesy of Priska C. Juschka Fine Art}

1. The images are built by painting in reverse—first sketching the composition on a sheet of plastic, then applying controlled brushstrokes, gushes of acrylic paint, and minuscule magazine cut-outs to its backside. Through this method, a film of layers of paint accumulates on the plastic, and ultimately the work is completed by affixing stretched construction safety netting to this film with a pour of acrylic polymer. In the act of completion, Johnson peels away the plastic on which the work was created, leaving the painted composition congealed to the netting. (Hellhound Rodeo Press Release, Courtesy of Priska C. Juschka Fine Art).

May 3 - June 16, 2007
Priska C. Juschka Fine Art
547 West 27th Street
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
(Between 10th & 11th Ave.)
www.priskajuschkafineart.com