James Johnston (born 1966) is also known as a musician with Gallon Drunk, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds as well as PJ Harvey, and has established himself as a painter in recent years. His first paintings were created on tour in hotel rooms; today, he works daily in his studio.
His paintings are figurative, raw, and expressive: bold colors, loose structures, and scenes full of mythic intensity characterize his visual language. Animals, nature, and solitary figures appear as mirrors of the human condition.
Nick Cave describes his works as „paintings full of mythic power.“ Johnston’s paintings are not a counterpoint to music, but rather an expression of the same immediate energy and archaic power.
Solo shows
2025
Inside Out, Schaeffers Gate 5, Oslo, Norwegen
World of Interiors , Fitzrovia Gallery, London, UK
Illuminated, DON Galerie, Tabor, CZ Republic
2024
Do Not Disturb , Don’t Walk Walk Gallery, Deal, UK
Illuminated Fitzrovia Gallery, London, UK
2023
The Human Menagerie, Fitzrovia Gallery, London, UK
2022
We’ve All Got Our Secrets , Don’t Walk Walk Gallery, Deal Castle, UK
2019
The Stash Gallery, London
Quo Vadis, London
Group shows
2019
You Know More Than I Know – The Art Academy, Walworth, London
A letter in mind – London Oxo Tower, London
2018
Linear – Gallery 64a., London
Extricate – Gallery 64a., London
Push The Boat Out – The Art Academy Walworth, London
Jo Mama’s Alphabet Show – Studio One gallery, London
Jo Mama’s Second Alphabet Show – A-side B-side gallery, London
A letter in mind – London Oxo Tower, London
Featured artist in magazines:
Persona #8. France.
Sargasso arts magazine (Featured artist and cover art). Germany.
Epifanio 2018 edition. Estonia.
The Economist, Prospero arts edition.
Books:
The Art of the Murder Ballad
‚Nadirs‘ – Tom Buron.
‚Love is an ancient disease‘ – M.A. Littler