Justin W John

Justin W John (he/him)
American (b. 1981)

Justin W John is an abstract artist whose practice focuses on physical painting and digital media art. His work addresses identity, the subconscious, gender and sexuality, culture, and societal ties to technology through autobiographical ruminations. He works intuitively, allowing each piece to develop its personality. Justin’s work bridges internal and external, translating non-physical states into gestural forms, patterns, and markings through his meticulous brush and knife strokes. His introspective narratives act as commentary that speaks to our commonality.
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Justin W John was born in the Philippines and raised in Virginia and Maryland. He graduated from Maryland Institute, College of Art, in 2003 with a BFA in graphic design. Justin’s work has been in solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and art fairs throughout the western United States, including Yellowstone Art Museum and The Other Art Fair. Justin was recently selected as a recipient of studio space—part of Surel’s Place Studios in the Live-Work-Create district of Garden City for the 2022-23 season. Justin has also created commissioned public art for the city of Boise, ID.

2003 — Maryland Institute, College of Art
BFA in Graphic Design
Digital Media Arts Concentration
Studied under Ellen Lupton

Awards
2002 — Graphic Design Dept. Recognition Award
2000 — Seymour Mandelbaum Merit Award
2000 — 2003 Dean’s List

2022‍ — Queer ID, Group exhibition, Blue Galleries, Boise, ID (Curator's First Choice)
2022‍ — 32 Cells—Sense of Place, Group exhibition, Idaho State Penitentiary, Boise, ID
2022‍ — 10×10×10×TIETON, Group exhibition, Tieton Arts & Humanities, Tieton, WA
2022‍ — Lucid Interludes, Solo
The Riverside Hotel, Water’s Edge Gallery, Garden City, ID
2021 — M.A.P. Idaho Artists Showcase, Group exhibition
Initial Point Gallery, Meridian City Hall, Meridian, ID
2021 — 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Group exhibition
Art Source Gallery, Boise, ID
2021 — The Other Art Fair ROW DTLA, Group fair, The Other Art Fair, Los Angeles, CA
2021 — Twisted District, Solo exhibition, Twisted District, Garden City, ID
2021 — The Other Art Fair Virtual Editions, Group virtual exhibition, The Other Art Fair, Los Angeles, CA
2021 — YAA53, Group exhibition, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2020 — Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition, Group exhibition, Tom of Finland Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
2020 — Portraits, Group exhibition, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2020 — High Kitsch, Group exhibition, Treasure Valley Artist Alliance, Gem Center for the Arts, Boise, ID
2020 — Eros C'est La Vie, Group exhibition, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA...