Bored Panda reached out to Johnson to learn more about him and his art. Johnson has been involved in ceramics for more than 30 years. He shared what inspires him to continue his venture.
"Let me first briefly describe my background. I have been quiet since I was a child, but I am extremely curious about everything around me, and I especially like to be around nature. I have always believed that all things have spirits and consciousness. Flowers, grass, trees, clouds, rain, breeze, ocean, earth, rocks, and clay all have their own unique consciousness, form, energy, and essence, and they coexist harmoniously with each other. So when I was a child, I loved climbing mountains, climbing trees, catching grasshoppers, swimming at the beach, picking up shells, picking rocks in the mountain streams, looking at the sky, the sea, the clouds, and the stars. I would carefully observe and appreciate what appeared in front of me. In the tranquility, I also feel that they are also observing me with the same curiosity, talking to my soul gently and sincerely like a friend, letting me know that I am never alone; this feeling is wonderful! In my eyes, everything in the world is so beautiful. If I am a genius, I think my gift is to see beauty in everything."
Johnson continued: "I still remember that when I first started holding a pencil when I was three years old, I would draw whatever I saw. I wanted to draw everything. I couldn't control myself and indulged in what people call "drawing dolls," which they considered a "bad behavior." After entering elementary school, I became more serious. If you open my textbook, you will see that the blank spaces next to the text are filled with the "dolls" I drew. This also reveals a lot about my life. I chose the blank space of imagination instead of the words in the book. At that time, I was considered an inferior horse with no future, lazy, and didn't study hard. In fact, I was very dedicated to painting. I just didn't choose knowledge but chose a different teacher. After long training, although the "dolls" I drew at that time were already very realistic, according to my observations, the things I saw appeared in three-dimensional form. There would be many blind spots when drawing on flat paper. It could not fully display them. So, I started playing with plastic clay. Again, I wanted to pinch out everything."
"In 1991, I happened to pass by the Art Center at Wan Chai in Hong Kong and enrolled in a beginning ceramics class. I suddenly discovered the beginning of another world. I was deeply attracted by it the first time I touched clay. The first time I came into contact with the clay, I felt a kind and peaceful familiarity. It was like a highly intelligent life form that could reach directly into the depths of my soul and connect with me. No matter how absurd my imagination was or how bizarre my dreams were, I could make them jump out and become a living reality, giving me god-like creativity and the superpower of turning fantasies into experiences. That day, I was moved by my first creation. I held the newly completed cup shaped like a human face, which amazed me. At the same time, joy surged from my heart, and my long-hidden passion for art was ignited. Then, in 1993, I left the police career I had held for almost thirteen years without looking back and officially started my adventure without a safety net. Although the journey was full of uncertainty, the clay has always been with me, guiding me, protecting me, and healing my wounds. Even today, more than thirty years later, that fire is still burning hot."
Most of Johnson's works are about human appearance and expressions. We were wondering why the artist chose to express human facial features mainly instead of other body parts or other species.
He wrote: "Maybe it's because I loved painting since I was a child. I started painting portraits in the fourth grade of primary school. My classmates at that time naturally became my models, and I also received praise and encouragement from my teachers. This habit continued all the way to when I joined the police force. Usually, during the break after meals, my colleagues would ask me to draw and scan portraits for them. Of course, I would be happy to do it if my passionate interest was appreciated by others. It is roughly estimated that in my more than ten years I have painted and scanned no less than 300 portraits in my career. I believe this is how I developed a deep understanding of the structure of the human face. It is the result of following my passion and never planning it.
In fact, I really didn't put these face elements into my works deliberately; everything happened naturally. For most of my creations, my mode is like this - first, when I am in a quiet and peaceful state of mind, some ideas will naturally appear in my mind. I don't know who put them in, but I know it's not something I handled, I feel like I might have been on the receiving end. Miraculously, these ideas usually appear as a complete picture, and often in the form of a human face. The only thing I need to do is to put my emotions into it, consider the details of the production process, and use my pair of skilled hands that have been trained for a long time to turn these ideas into reality. To be honest, it felt as if I was bringing life into the world. After it was completed, it was distributed through social media, so I should have become the distributor. Everything is the most beautiful arrangement. I was arranged to have such an experience early in my life. The creator of inspiration may have chosen me to do it because I am a well-trained craftsman."
Johnson's works are very delicate, outlining people's facial features, the shape of liquid splashes, etc.
The artist shared how he observes the details and movements of each object or character and what these details mean.
"I have not thought about these issues. Everything happened naturally. I just followed my passion. I love art and care for nature, appreciate everything in it, observe their personality traits, and long to create the things in my imagination. The beautiful images unfolded faithfully, and I was lucky enough to find the material clay, fell in love with it, got along well with it, and developed a unique set of techniques. Clay has its own unique personality and physicality in nature, and I am able to work with it simply because I have found a way to live in harmony with it. To be honest, I don't think I have ever done any hard work. At least I don't think it is hard work. Instead, I enjoy the process because all these things happen out of unconditional love, and love never cares about what it takes. In short, it is love that has always led me along this path, and I enjoy the joy it brings me every moment."
As for the inspiration, Johnson shared: "'Inspiration' seems to be an invisible thing, but it is a powerful energy of consciousness. It is naturally generated in response to the evolution of the material world. It is as numerous as stars. It has only one purpose, which is to make the world a better place and to enhance the overall human consciousness. Grow to a higher level. Inspiration is always looking for the right objects to express themselves, such as artists, musicians, poets, scientists, mathematicians, doctors, psychologists, educators, gardeners, or anyone who can ultimately contribute to the world.
I believe that inspiration is actually inexhaustible. The key is whether we can open our hearts and reserve space to accept new things at any time. When I calm down, whether I am fully immersed in creation, meditating, dazing in complete silence, walking, or even sleeping, ideas will enter my thoughts continuously. I feel that they are wandering in space, naturally flowing and floating, waiting to enter my thoughts, and the calmer I am, the easier it is for them to enter. Although these works are displayed through me, I believe that I did not create them. I am just a messenger who delivers messages. Therefore, I am only basing the names on my own interpretation and do not want to explain them because I do not fully understand the reasons and meaning behind these messages. Therefore, I hope that people can freely interpret those works in their own way and find their own answers or meanings. People always have their own reasons for being touched or resonated with, and there is always something worth learning from, something worth letting go of, or something worth being grateful for."
Johnson continued: "I believe there is always a good reason or meaning behind everything that happens. After getting an inspiration, I follow the inspiration to create such works so that someone can see my works. The same is true for other people's works. They all have a purpose, which is to let some people in the world, or even just one person, see it. People's hearts are touched, inspired, and awakened. The work is just an alarm clock that touches their inner emotions, reminding them of the problems they need to deal with, the areas that need healing, or the need to make new choices, thereby gaining spiritual understanding. When I get messages from people saying they cry when they see my work, I know I'm doing a good job because I've been moved to tears by them, too, so I'm happy because I know these pieces are officially put into service and get to work."
Johnson also shared which of his works have left the biggest impression on him.
"Some people say that sculpture is a three-dimensional language. I am not good at interpersonal communication, so I lose the opportunity to express my inner world. So, for me, sculpture has a compensating effect to some extent. Those works are my life process at that time. Each work records a new discovery and inspires the creation of the next work. Therefore, every piece of work is my teacher, guiding me in the direction, leading me forward, and climbing mountains. To me, they are all precious experiences. The most important thing is that on the road of life while enjoying the scenery along the way, I learned how to truly live. The present moment is the only time that exists. Living in the moment, I always believe that what is happening now is the most profound, the only thing I can control, and the most important, so I will choose the work I am currently working on, "My Life." (Please see the answer to question 5 for details)."
Lastly, looking to the future, Johnson shared his plans and projects.
"In addition to continuing to complete my "life sculptures," I also continue to cooperate with different organizations to display my works in different forms. We have been cooperating with the international art platform Avant Arte to produce limited-edition sculptures. In recent years, I have also collaborated with Parisian fashion brand Par Une Marque to turn my works into wearable art."
