Eloquent as Johann is, in our twenty minute interview, he never managed to express as much as the least striking of his paintings and Johann has no problems expressing himself verbally. After I had shut down my sophisticated recording equipment (my cell phone), Johann explained why he does not name his paintings. Having enjoyed staring at his paintings for a couple of hours, I must concur that labeling them may well have curtailed my flights of fantasy and that is what this artist gives as part of the imagery gift: a journey of personal whimsy in wholly un-whimsical work. By allowing the viewer to experience his work without preconceived boundaries, he sets us free to enjoy and discover from within, giving the space to interpret as we choose, feel what we choose.
Johann gave himself the mammoth task of painting a massive mural Scotland (a post matric sabbatical), choosing to work in oils, which he had never used before. Five months later, he understood the medium better than he ever would other wise.
A transcript of our interview follows:
When did you start drawing and painting?
I was very young
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere: I love shape, I love texture.
I started working on hardboard, working with texture, building up with texture. (the large square painting at the bottom). Recently I have moved more towards working on canvas, finding it easier on the flatter less texture surface to create detail. The work in the Chapman's Emporium Gallery is all new work, completed in the last three months.
Do you work on several pieces at once?
Yes, usually about three to four paintings.
