Derek Johnson is an artist of profound insight and conviction. He has spent a lifetime capturing the significance of his observations across a variety of media, and with an astonishing breadth of vision and depth of technique. Born in Hampshire in England in 1942, Derek’s passion has led to the creation of highly crafted pieces, which do not lend themselves to easy or frequent production. His sensibilities do not sit easily with constant exposure to media attention, and it has taken considerable time to get to the point where at last we can survey some of his output, and finally reveal part of his vision to a wider audience. Although he is a contemporary of other luminaries like Howard Hodgkin and David Hockney, and has frequently exhibited at prestigious venues in the UK and the USA, much of his mature work has not been seen outside his studio. The time for that to change is now. He was able to support his dedication to exploring his aims partly through teaching and sharing his vision and experiences with a large number of inquisitive students. He also has a supportive family, and the ability to satisfy another large group of followers through his respected contribution to the music business as an accomplished jazz and blues trumpet player Derek exhibited to great acclaim at London’s West End Cork Street Gallery from October 4th - 9th, 2010.
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