My work explores our relationships to landscape and to one another. I am particularly interested in the interactions of untold stories, lesser histories, and mythologies that make up our sense of personal and ecological place. My work often asks: What is the space between us?  And: What might it take to cross it?  Layering sculpture, language, theatricality, oral tradition, and personal myth, I try to capture the shifting perspective we face as our bodies relate to the spaces we inhabit and those we inhabit them with.

 

 

Lisa Johnson

www.doublepurchase.net

 

Education

 

2012         Master of Fine Arts, Sculpture (minor: Intermedia)

         The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

 

2011         Master of Arts, Sculpture (minor: Painting)

         The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

 

2002         Orthodox Academy of Crete and Center for Peace, Kolympari, Crete

The Crete Project: experimented with artists and performers from Greece, Bosnia, Russia, Germany, and the U.S. to develop an international theatre language. Work focused on crossing communicative boundaries in art and performance, as most members of the group could not speak one another’s languages. Work included performance, visual media, and community engagement.

 

1997         Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts (minor: Studio Art), in honors

         Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

 

1997         Bachelor of Arts, English (Creative Writing), magna cum laude

         Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

         (Dual Degree)

 

 

Projects

 

Place-Map-Place

2012-ongoing

Subjective ethnography examining relationships between place, landscape, and personal narrative and the ways our relationship to place are reflective of our relationships to one another. The project includes archival research, interviews, installation objects, and audio broadcasts.

 

The Eva Luna Project

2010–ongoing

Collaborative arts ensemble of incarcerated women, community partners, and myself (founded, 2010). Work focuses on untold histories and hidden narratives that connect incarcerated and non-incarcerated communities. Develop new performances, audio broadcasts, and installations, compile and edit writings, direct plays. Currently developing an adaptation that links Othello and The Color Purple.

 

Kotcich

January 2011–June 2011

Prague, Czech Republic

Developed a performance-based installation to examine the interactive relationship between abandoned place and city center. Collaborated with 25 artists (15 countries). The project was led by Rolf Abderhalden Cortes. Interviewed residents, took audio recordings, developed creative ideas for the project, and performed in the installation.

 

Solo Exhibitions

 

2012         home.land. Eve Drewelowe Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2012         Prairie, Kendall Gallery Iowa City, IA

2011         What We Make Together, Market Dubuque Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2011         9 Chairs, David Thayer Theatre, Iowa City, IA

2011         Now and Then My Country, Public Space One, Iowa City, IA

2010         Listen and Speak, Eve Drewelowe Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2010         Judged by 12, The Porch Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2010         12:30, (roving installation), Iowa City, IA

2010         Detection of Stowaways, Gallery 1201, Iowa City, IA

2009         Four Trees, North Ridge Trail, Iowa City, IA

2009         Sky Weaving Eight, Gallery 1201, Iowa City, IA

2009         Conversation Pieces, North Ridge Trail, Iowa City, IA

2008         Threads, Gallery 1201, Iowa City, IA

2008         Square Path, Studio Arts, Iowa City, IA

2008         Path, Studio Arts, Iowa City, IA

 

 

Group Exhibitions

 

2011         Mixed Bag, Eve Drewelowe Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2010         The Best Damn Art Show on Earth, Market-Dubuque Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2010         Power Grip, Eve Drewelowe Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2009         Showcasing Graduate Sculpture, Market Dubuque Gallery, Iowa City, IA

2009         Activation 3D, Market Dubuque Gallery, Iowa Coty, IA

2008         Conversation, rough, Studio Arts, Iowa City, IA

2007         Feminism and Medium, 14 Brushes Gallery, Urbana, IL

 

 

Academic Appointments

 

The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

2009-2012

 

Instructor of Record, School of Art and Art History

Elements of Sculpture: 2 courses, 18 undergraduate students (2009-2010)

.

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Theatre Arts

Scenic Art for Designers: 1 course, 7 graduate students (2009)

 

Graduate Research Assistant, The Center for Teaching

 

 

Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA

2009 and 2011

 

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Theatre Arts

Scenic Art

2 courses, 22 undergraduate students

 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL

2007–2008

 

Visiting Lecturer and Scene Painting Head, Department of Theatre Arts

Introduction to Scenic Design (2008)

1 course, 1 MFA and 6 BFA students

A course of study teaching fundamentals of scenic design for students across disciplines. Instruction included sketching, drawing, and rendering, model making, hand drafting, research and critical response. Emphasis was placed on conceptual development and technical skills.

 

Scene Painting

1 course, 5 MFA and 7 BFA students (2007)

 

Graduate Assistantship Supervisor, Paint Shop

2 semesters, 4 MFA students (2007–2008)

 

Hollins University, Hollins, VA

2006

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Theatre Arts

Scenic Art

 

Fellowships and Awards

 

2012         International Sculpture Center Student Award (Honorable Mention)

2012         Fellow, Obermann Institute for Engagement and the Academy

2011         University of Iowa Stanley Award for International Research

2011         Pechu Kucha given in The National Gallery, Veletrzni Palace, Prague, Czech Republic as part of The Prague Quadrennial

2011         Presenter, Prague Quadrennial Student Exhibition, Czech Republic

2011         University of Iowa School of Art and Art History Special Fellowship

2009         University of Iowa School of Art and Art History Graduate Fellow

2007         Suzi Bass Award, Outstanding Scenic Design (Voices Underwater)

         Atlanta, GA

 

Residencies

 

2013         Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Artist in Residence, Milford, IA

2012         Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Artist in Residence, Milford, IA

2012         Vermont Studio Center

2011         Vermont Studio Center

 

Skills

Digital audio and video production, Performance development (Boal, Viewpoints, Alignment and Release), Figure modeling, Plaster casting and Mould making, Woodworking, Oxy-acetylene welding, MIG welding, Papermaking (Traditional Islamic, Nepalese, and Japanese Nagashizuki)