Art gallery launched by Grand Rapids graffiti artist has planned a short shelf life

Grand Rapids graffiti artist SOBA.ONE, pseudonym of B.J. Johnson, hosts his first show this weekend at his Green Lion Gallery -- a temporary-by-design space established specifically as a 2011 ArtPrize venue for the work of Johnson and several other local artists.

Leading up to ArtPrize (Sept. 21 - Oct. 9) the gallery at 150 E. Fulton St. will host at least three shows, says Johnson, and probably a couple more after that. Johnson took out a one-year lease on the space last February specifically so he could show his work and the work of his friends as part of ArtPrize without feeling like they had to tailor the art to specific venues or curators.

"We opened the gallery to have our own control of our ArtPrize venue, where I could have control and not appeal to a venue owner," Johnson says. "I'm a tattoo artist and a graffiti artist, and we'll have graphic artists, metal artists, graphic artists and others."

The space is split into two galleries -- one for the art shows and one for the ArtPrize work "The Kiss: Inspirations from the Cure," featuring work inspired by the band of the same name. Johnson says he's posted a call for artists and expects to have about 20 exhibiting under that theme.

"I've been working on the idea for a couple of years and have done a few pieces," Johnson says. "I really like metaphors and layered meanings in my work so I thought this would be appropriate. We'll close the ArtPrize exhibit on October 15, which is a Saturday night and is inspired by The Cure's song, 10:15 Saturday Night."

In the meantime, Johnson's focus is on the upcoming show that opens April 9, "D-Bags and Dimwits," with works that juxtapose cartoon character bullies with their not-so-bright counterparts. The shows features works inspired by The Road Runner cartoon by Joachim Jensen, who was part of the ArtPrize 2010 entry Steam Pig Experiment, and works by Johnny Clausen, who helped create the painting The Waterprize for ArtPrize 2010.

Source: B.J. "SOBA.ONE" Johnson, Green Lion Gallery
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor