Artist Statement:
Issues of race, discrimination, prejudice and freedom of expression inspire me to paint. The history of discrimination, segregation and the political and religious issues surrounding them are the departure points for my paintings. Through my experiences as a child growing up in Chicago I feel very passionately about these issues and by creating specific imagery I aim to make the viewer question them.
My identity is woven into these paintings. By using visual elements such as the colorful forms and abstract structures I aim to make my work engaging for the viewer. In a recent body of work I used female mannequins to talk about the objectification of women in the American society. My paintings in my recent show Do You See What I See bring issues of inequality and discrimination that we experience on a daily basis. Through this body of work I’m asking the viewer to see these issues from my perspective.
 
Bio:
Born (1966) and raised in Chicago, Jesse Johnson is an artist living and working in Gary, IN.  Jesse has received his BA in Communications from Indiana University Northwest and is currently pursuing his MA in Visual Arts in The School of Education at the same institution. Jesse has shown his work in the Annual Student Show at IUN for the past five years. His experience with violence in different neighborhoods of Chicago has been a big source of inspiration for his works. From a young age Jesse has been drawing, painting, doing photography and producing music. He is currently continuing his interdisciplinary practice at his studio at IUN.

---

AFTER WORK

This piece is based on freedom of expression.
the right to do anything without circumstances or consequences. by Jesse Johnson

Government Shit the White Panther Party

What if racism was reversed.
would there be a need for Affirmative Action for White America. by Jesse Johnson

The Movement

Over-all feeling free and discovering her talents to create the finer things in life and the pursuit of happiness. by Jesse Johnson