ARTIST STATEMENT
Across the mediums of painting, sculpture, and fibers, my practice focuses on making from scratch. My appreciation of craft and handiwork has always been a persistent presence throughout my life. Trips to my grandmother’s house in rural southern Illinois felt like visiting an antique museum of craft: shelves of porcelain dolls dressed in delicate lace and pastel fabrics, velvet and mohair teddy bears, a locked cabinet of floral-patterned China plates, and a solid, commanding grandfather clock made of glass and wood. It was on one of these trips that I first learned to crochet.
The integration and exposure to craft at a young age, especially traditionally female crafts, influences my practice today, and I work with craft in a contemporary context and way of living to spotlight the artistry of typically dismissed “women’s work.” As a result, I like to lean into the “too-muchness” and kitschy quality of my work, which stems from my love of “bad taste,” contempt for deprivation, and indifference towards minimalist design.
Color is another important aspect of my practice; historically, color has been viewed as superficial, emotional, deceptive, and ornamental, associated with femininity, childishness, and queerness. Therefore, though my work is accessible to anyone, it inherently resonates with a queer and feminine audience, reflecting my personal identity and the lens through which I approach my practice. My art speaks to the complexities of identity while inviting viewers to find their own meanings within the layers of texture and light.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lauren Johnston is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, earning a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in painting. She considers herself an interdisciplinary artist, as fiber art and sculpture are important aspects to her artistic identity as well as painting. In April 2025, she exhibited the culmination of her artistic practice for her BFA thesis show, “Circle Game”.
© Lauren Johnston