Johnny Karwan
San Francisco, California
Artist Johnny Karwan heat-fuses recycled plastic bags and vinyl to create modern abstracts with a translucent quality from the materials he uses. “I find inspiration in the creative potential of everyday disposables, transforming discarded plastic bags into elevated works of art,” says Johnny. He spent years traveling as a background painting teacher for animation before transitioning to creating murals, sculptures, and designs for brands and architects worldwide. His studio, located in the front half of his 1904 Edwardian flat in San Francisco's historic Haight-Ashbury, is complemented by a workshop for wood cutouts and assemblages. When he’s not creating, Johnny enjoys hiking in nature, exploring cities and galleries, and indulging in world travel and road trips.
Artist Statement
This decidedly modern collection of heat-fused recycled plastic bags and vinyl on canvas and wood is inspired by my love for finding the creative potential inherent in everyday disposables and recyclables and exploring the transformative power of art through the lens of discarded plastic shopping bags to elevate objects of art.
The colors are restricted to a limited palette of plastic bags, which is dominated by blues, greens, some reds, blacks, off-whites, neutrals, and monochromes. This gives them a simple, clean, and modern feel. I employ an unplanned, intuitive assemblage process and the spontaneous nature of the assembling pieces and colors allows for a flow and movement, with each placement informing the next, and utilizing an equal amount of abandon and restraint.
The colors are restricted to a limited palette of plastic bags, which is dominated by blues, greens, some reds, blacks, off-whites, neutrals, and monochromes. This gives them a simple, clean, and modern feel. I employ an unplanned, intuitive assemblage process and the spontaneous nature of the assembling pieces and colors allows for a flow and movement, with each placement informing the next, and utilizing an equal amount of abandon and restraint.
Artist Background
San Francisco Art Institute
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1977
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