Artist’s Statement
Inspirations. At their truest state are the transitions or connections my naturally inquisitive and introspective mind sorts out of the gray matter. Interpersonal relationships, textual translations, and pixelated information make up our evolving social normative models; in essence, our story. It’s through these periods of reflection — littered with random synaptic firings, formed with plasticity in mind and of body — that I connect some dots. It’s all part of the kaleidoscope I work within.
Narrative
Justin John was born on the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines in 1981. He grew up on the East Coast in Virginia and Maryland. His artistic talents lead him to study graphic design at the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore, MD. He received his BFA the spring of 2003; shortly thereafter he relocated to Washington, D.C.
His career as a freelance graphic and web designer was just starting. Soon his clients included B.E.T., The Peace Corps, and McGraw-Hill Publishing. In his spare time enjoyed getting involved with D.C.’s vibrant music scene by working with a few production companies. He also held creative and management roles in the retail industry with Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, and FLOR (Interface) to name a few.
In 2014, Justin moved cross-country to Boise, Idaho to be closer to his mother. Currently, he lives and creates the majority of his work in his studio in Boise’s historic Idanha Hotel. Often splitting his time to visit with his father in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Education
2003 — BFA in Graphic Design, Concentration in Digital Media Arts
Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Studied under: Ellen Lupton
AWARDS
2002 — Graphic Design Department Recognition Award
2000 — Seymour Mandelbaum Merit Award
Exhibitions
2019 — Art Auction 51 Group exhibition, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2018 — Conceptions Art Show Group exhibition, Iron Triangle, DTLA
2018 — RAW: CONNECT Group exhibition, Revolution Concert House & Event Center, Garden City, ID
2018 — SIMULACRUM Solo exhibition, UPCYCLE Studio, Boise, ID
2011 — Exposed: The Polaroid Retrospective II Lamont Bishop Gallery, Washington, DC
Press
“Yellowstone Art Auction 51 Catalog, Official YAA51 Exhibition Catalog.” Yellowstone Art Museum. January 2019. pp 17, 41.
Nelson, Lex: “Justin W. John: Simulacrum” Boise Weekly, Arts & Culture. May 23, 2018.
Volunteer
2018 — Boise State Public Radio, Art in the Park
2018 — Boise Art Museum, Art in the Park, Annual Gala
2017 — Boise Art Museum, Art in the Park, Annual Gala
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Last update: January 28th, 2019