Johnny Robertson’s art investigates the romantic American Mythic West and its application in cultural language. His imagery considers how regional iconography is embodied in the steadfast conventions of cinematic and literary texture. Robertson asserts that places like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the landscapes of the American southwest are far more than physical locations; they provide a mythic cultural substrate from which a type of secular transcendence can prevail. Regardless of realities, the West, as an idea, remains a place of salvation. While New York City, Chicago, and the rust belt are commonly depicted in pop culture as places from which to escape, the West remains mythic, and worthy of a journey to—as so elegantly posited by Jack Kerouac in On The Road. Integral threads in Robertson’s work involve the West as a place to move through, to, or in, as well as the movement itself. Robertson’s imagery commonly features casino signs, palm trees, truck stops, and big skies. His paintings, video art, and sculpture underscore the idea of transition—movement though a particular landscape, or likewise, an attraction to a particular allegorical destination.
Robertson is originally from Lubbock, Texas and maintains a studio in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He earned an MFA in Painting & Drawing from the University of North Texas in 1998.
Solo Exhibitions
- 2014 Needles to Mojave, Brand 10 Gallery , Fort Worth, TX
- 2012 Conduit Gallery, Dallas
- 2010 George Billis Gallery, L.A., Los Angeles, CA
- 2009 Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 2008 Art Ball, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX
- 2008 REM Gallery, San Antonio
- 2007 Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX
- 2006 Anya Tish Gallery, Houston, TX
- 2006 Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 2005 Kidder Smith Gallery, Boston, MA
- 2005 REM Gallery, San Antonio, TX
- 2005 George Billis Gallery, L.A., Los Angeles, CA
- 2003 Johnny Robertson: Recent Work, Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 2003 Smog, McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas, TX
- 2002 Magsaysay Blvd. and Other Places, Four Walls Gallery, Fort Worth, TX
- 2002 Still in Hollywood, 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 1999 Johnny Robertson: Lordsburg/El Centro, Good/Bad Art Collective, Denton, TX
- 1998 Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton, TX
Selected Group Exhibitions
- 2018 Designs and fabrications for Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 2013 Cityscapes, George Billis Gallery, L.A., Los Angeles, CA
- 2009 Strokes, University of Dallas, curated by John Pomara
- 2008 #11, And/Or Gallery, Dallas, curated by Titus O’brien
- 2004 Going West, Arthouse at Jones Center, Austin, TX (Curated by Erin Keever)
- 2004 Meanwhile, Elsewhere . . ., Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX (Curated by Charlie Wylie)
- 2003 Arts League of Houston, Houston, TX
- 2003 New American Talent #18, Arthouse at Jones Center, Austin, TX
- 2002 El Macho Grande, Plano Arts Center, Plano, TX
- 2002 Cool: Robert Caslin & Johnny Robertson, R.E.M. Gallery, San Antonio, TX
- 2002 No History to Speak of, but Great Shopping and Fantastic Food: New Art From Dallas, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX (Curated by Ted Kincaid)
- 2002 Surface Tensions, Galveston Art Center, Galveston, TX
- 2002 Group Exhibition, Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 2002 Duo, Haggerty Gallery, Dallas, TX (Curated by Christine Bisetto)
- 2002 Sublime: The Landscape Re-Envisioned, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX (Curated by Anne Allen)
- 2000 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 2000 Real Space, Purple Orchid, Dallas, TX (Curated by Robert Caslin)
- 2000 Los Angeles/The Social: Johnny Robertson & Randall Friedman, Four Walls Exhibition Space, Ft. Worth, TX
- 2000 Reduction, New Works Space – McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas, TX
- 2000 Fault Lines; Johnny Robertson & Jodi Lee, Conduit Gallery Annex, Dallas, TX
- 2000 The Tao of Painting: Principles in Monochrome, McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas, TX
- 1999 21 & Up, 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
- 1999 Expo ‘99, 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX (Juried by Rick Brittell)
- 1999 In the House, Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX (Curated by Victoria Montelongo)
- 1992 The Instinctive “I”, Gallery – One Bell Plaza, Dallas, TX (Curated by Victoria Montelongo, Deborah Rameriz, and Maryanna Sobstad)
Collections
- Accenture Corporation, Irving
- American Airlines, Dallas
- Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery
- Hyatt Regency, Dallas
- Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
- Private Collections
Education
- 1998 M.F.A., Painting, University of North Texas
- 1991 B.F.A., Painting, Texas Tech University
Awards
- Accenture Corporation, Irving
- American Airlines, Dallas
- Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery
- Hyatt Regency, Dallas
- Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
- Private Collections
Guest Lectures and Programs
- Texas Assocation of Museums, (speaker, program chair), 2015, 2016.
- ArtCamp, (guest artist), Modern Art Museum Fort Worth, Summer 2004.
- High School Return Program, Modern Art Museum Fort Worth, Spring 2004.
- Sketching in the Galleries, Dallas Museum of Art, Fall 2003.
- Drawing from the Collection, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Summer 2003.
- Artist Led Gallery, Tour Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Spring 2003.
- Sketching in the Galleries, Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, Spring & Summer 2002.
Professional Experience
Visual Artist, 1991-Present
- Exhibit paintings regularly at commercial venues such as Conduit Gallery in Dallas and George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles.
- Engage with the arts community by mentoring young artists and participating in museum sponsored programs, including participation in artist lectures and “Sketching in the Galleries” at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and by contributing critical discourse in industry publications such as ARTLIES and Glasstire.com.
- Support local arts institutions with regular donations of artworks to fund-raising events, including the Art Ball at the Dallas Museum of Art (2008).
- Pursue funding opportunities through grant writing efforts, including applications to the Joan Mitchell Foundation (nomination), the Louis Comport Tiffany Foundation (nomination), and the Dozier Travel Grant (awarded).
Adjunct Faculty, University of North Texas, 2011-2014
- Develop and apply classroom curriculum concerning analytical and technical direction for advanced students.
- Assess student progress in review committees and make recommendations regarding advancement.
- Utilize university resources in order to supplement classroom learning.
Professor, Collin College, Frisco TX, 2005-2008
- Developed and applied classroom curriculum concerning analytical and technical direction for beginning students.
- Served on academic committees, including assessment and search committees.
- Volunteered for activities associated with high school outreach, campus pride, and new student orientation.
- Organized and promoted student art exhibitions.
Bibliography
Bratone, Jim. Review of “Sublime: The Landscape Re-envisioned” at Arlington Museum of Art, Artlies, Spring 2002, no. 33.
Carter, Steve. Garden Variety: The Sculpture Garden at the Crow Collection of Asian Art Unveils a Cross Cultural Blend of Old and New. Patron Magazine, Winter 2013.
Daniels, Mike. Review of “Los Angeles/The Social,” Dallas Morning News, The Guide section, August 11, 2000.
Dalton, Jeff. Review of “The Tao of Painting: Principles in Monochrome” at the MAC’ Artlies, Winter 1999-2000, no. 25.
Kuntner, Janet. “12 young artists win DMA grants,” The Dallas Morning News, May 26, 2001.
Lewis, Betsy. Art&Seek, KERA Q&A with Painter Johnny Robertson. July 9, 2009
Mitchell, Charles Dee. “Wall to Wall Party,” Dallas Morning News, Artsday June 28, 2004.
Mitchell, Charles Dee. “More Space Enriches Conduit Works,” Dallas Morning News, Artsday, May 29, 2002.
Mitchell, Charles Dee. “Monochromatic Paintings Draw Much Attention,” The Dallas Morning News, Entertainment section, Feb. 5, 2000. (exhibition article)
Reese, Christina. “Break It Down”. Dallas Observer, Dec. 31, 1998. (article)
Robertson, Johnny. Review of “Trace-Christine Bisetto” at Mulcahy Modern, glasstire.com website. Posted September 2003.
Robertson, Johnny. Review of “Terry Allen: Dugout” at Pillsbury Peters Fine Art,
glasstire.com website. Posted May 21, 2002.
Robertson, Johnny. Review of “Robert Caslin” at Four Walls, Artlies #33, Sept. 2001.
Robertson, Johnny. Review of “Brian Fridge” at Four Walls, Artlies #30, Spring 2001.