ARTIST BIO
Ray Johnson (b. 1985) is a contemporary art painter based in Hampton Roads, VA. Although he studied illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design, he is an self taught painter. His art primarily uses figures to provide representation of black beauty, strength and perseverance. Johnson has participated in many solo and group exhibitions locally and regionally. He has exhibited at Barry Art Museum and at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, winning the people choice award for best painting in the Made in VA exhibit. Recently Ray took part in the Newport News Street Museum Mural Festival (2023). He currently serves on the Ocean View Plein Air Society Public Art Planning Committee.
PERSONAL
Ray Johnson (b. 1985)
Email: Rayjohnsonart@gmail.com
Phone: (757) 536-3587
REPRESENTATION
Gallery Ukwensi
424 W. 21st. suite 101 Norfolk, VA 23517
Email: info@gallerie-ukwensi.com
Phone: (757) 756-4480
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
For My Brothers With Sons I Paint This, Off-site Gallery, Norfolk, VA
2022
Black Is…, For All Handkind Art Gallery, Norfolk, VA
2018
Blacker the Berry, Downing Gross Culture Art Center, Newport News, VA
2017
HERstory, Corner Gallery, Norfolk, VA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Black Resistance, Barry Art Museum, Norfolk, VA
Celebrating Black Artist, Arts on Main, Gloucester, VA
2022
Black Prometheus: The legacy of Jacob Lawrence, James Wise Gallery, Norfolk, VA
Virginia MOCA: Made in VA, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, VA
2021
Virginia MOCA: Made in VA, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, VA
Dynamic, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA
Black Art Reframed, James Wise Fine Art Gallery, Norfolk, VA
2020
Art Beat Miami, 7th Annual Art Fair (virtual), Miami, FL
Black History Now: Group Art Exhibit, The Well Art Gallery, Richmond, VA
2019
Women’s Narratives: Brick City Blues, Newark Arts Festival, Newark, NJ
Black History Month Art Exhibition, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
2018
A Tribute To African Art, Downing Gross Cultural Art Center, Newport News, VA
Something Beautiful, The Whitney Austin Gallery of Art, Charlotte, NC
Still, The Manchester Gallery, Richmond, VA
2017
Eight Artist Dream, Downing Gross Cultural Art Center, Newport News, VA
Now: African American Artist in Tidewater, Charles H. Taylor Art Center, Newport News, VA
2016
Naked Expressions, S.A.N.D. Gallery, Baltimore, MD
CAN Festival, 670 Gallery, Hampton, VA
PUBLIC ART
2023
Newport News Street Museum Mural Festival
ORGANIZATIONS
Ocean View Plein Air Society Public Art Committee, 2023
Visual Arts Advancement Collective, Founding Member, 2019