Kurt Johnson Mirror Selfie Painting

Portraiture celebrating those influencing society through online culture. My work documents the effects technology and social media culture have on society. Our obsession with creating our own identities. From individuals seeking connection, to others who make a living by growing audiences that eclipse traditional celebrity. Amidst our obsession of sharing, easy access to technology has given individuals unprecedented opportunity to reach large audiences directly. Many who were previously unrecognized or misrepresented by mainstream media now have a voice. While some are driven by pure narcissism, the underlying human need to connect with others on some intimate level is the most interesting as it requires us to publicly expose a part of ourselves not often seen. The public creation of personal identity, combined with the emergence of a ‘new’ celebrity for a new era is what I bring to life in my work. The portraits are made directly from the feeds of those who impact our society and influence our culture. An analog archive of the digital stream before it disappears. In homage of traditional portraiture as a representation of our times, my work is a reflection of who we are now.