Chasing the Spark

Principle Gallery hosts an exhibition highlighting the artwork of Geoffrey Johnson, which walks a thin line between reality and abstraction.

- ALYSSA M. TIDWELL

Geoffrey Johnson is always searching for his next​ Gwave of inspiration. “The works are a continuation of me trying to paint the places and things that interest me, whether it be a room with a certain light, objects I like, a certain piece of architecture,” the North Carolina artist says. His oil paintings vary in style and subject matter. His cityscapes are marked by a monochromatic color palette and silhouetted figures, an aesthetic he explains comes from a place of attempting to seize the feeling of a city. “When I started painting urban scenes, it was how I saw the city. I just didn’t see it in color,” he says. “I’ve always loved high contrast paintings and photos.” On the other hand, his interior scenes often contain brighter hues and a wider palette. These pieces still embody a sense of subtlety, however, somewhat of a signature element in Johnson’s art.