For more information, contact
Briana Hanson, MU Gallery Public Relations
NDSU Memorial Union Gallery
701.231.7900
ndsu.mugallery@ndsu.edu
Jack Rabbits by Anna Johnson 22x36 collage with birch bark, fabric and ink
Coming Out Anna Johnson
December 2009-May 2010
Reception Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 4:30 p.m. The Equity and Diversity Center
A Bismarck, N.D., native and enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Anna Johnson believes art is the only way she can express her feelings when she experiences discrimination or when something moves her to make a difference about social injustice, religion and spirituality and other issues that people everywhere face on a daily basis. She wants to bridge the gap between the world she lives in and the culture she comes from. The imagery in Johnson's artwork comes directly from her Chippewa culture. She uses many different totem animals and traditional designs in her artwork.
"I work with many different mediums, but I have been concentrating on drawing and printmaking. I use many different forms of water media, such as watercolor and ink, where I use my own techniques to get the layers that mark my creative process," Johnson said.
Following graduation, Johnson plans to work toward a Master of Fine Arts degree and eventually give back to her community through teaching. She recently won the NDSU Billboard Competition with her collage "Changes" and her work has also been shown in the Red River Watercolor Society's 16th Annual National Juried Watermedia Exhibition at the Plains Art Museum.
Johnson's exhibit, "Coming Out" is presented in collaboration with the Memorial Union Art Gallery.
